A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has said a former National Vice Chairman of the party (South), Chief Olabode George, remains the best candidate for the national chairmanship.
Babatope, who is leading George’s campaign organisation for his aspiration in the December 9 convention of the party, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday that George has the ability to lead the party.
He described as “improper” the call by a group within the party on George to step down for a younger candidate ahead of the convention.
The group, “Renaissance,” made up of some ex-governors and National Assembly members, have reportedly backed a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as the party’s chairman.
So many other groups and individuals have equally declared support for Daniel, seemingly swinging the focus on him.
Their argument hinges on his youthfulness, experience as an administrator in both the private and public sectors and his acceptance across a wide spectrum of the party.
But Babatope said George would never step down for anyone as experience, maturity and passion, more than anything else was required to reposition the party.
He said: “How can anyone say George should step down for a more youthful candidate?
“No, that is wrong.
“George will never step down for anybody.
“What the party needs at this point in time is someone with maturity, experience and passion to reposition the party and return it to winning ways.
“I can tell you that Chief Bode George is an embodiment of all that.
“He is experienced, tested and trusted.
“He is a stickler to the philosophies of the party and he will deliver.
“You see, the elders can’t be governors, but they give directions to the youths based on their experience.
“The issue of youthfulness does not come in here.
“George is the best to lead the party.”
Babatope said there should be an open field for anybody to aspire to the chairmanship position of the party rather than calling people to step down for others.
Babatope, a former Minister of Transportation, said Prof. Tunde Adeniran, another contender for the position, was his personal friend, but that he believed George would do better owing to his track records.
He said George’s campaign organisation would soon begin aggressive electioneering ahead of the convention.
He said: “We will soon begin a nationwide campaign for George’s aspiration.
“We are going to move round the country and mobilise party support for this great candidate.”
Babatope expressed optimism that the former military administrator of the old Ondo State would emerge victorious at the convention.
NAN recalls that shortly after its non-elective convention in August, the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP announced that it would hold its main convention on December 9 to election a new national executive of the party.
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