April 18, 2018

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, on Wednesday said the party would present a better candidate that would be able to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 elections.

Babatope, a former Minister of Transportation, made this known in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that the PDP would take its time produce such a candidate, who would give Nigerians a better deal than what the current administration had so far given.

“The PDP would present a better candidate than the president in the next elections. We can give Nigerians that assurance.

“We will take our time and ensure that our presidential aspirants are not navigating the political terrain unnecessarily.

“They must be sure of themselves such that any one that eventually emerges the party’s candidate will sure be better than President Buhari,’’ he said.

Babatope said the party would not care whether the candidate was a political heavyweight or a light weight, but a candidate that would deliver the goods to the masses.

He said that the party would give all aspirants equal opportunities to sell themselves to the party and Nigerians.

Babatope said that the party was not fazed by the declaration by the president to seek re-election as he had the right to do so.

He said it was also the right of PDP to present a candidate that would defeat him and perform better.

Babatope expressed excitement that the leadership tussle in the South West zone of the party had been resolved.

He said the task before the party in the zone now was to reconcile all members ahead of the general elections.

“We are in the process of uniting the rank and file of the party in the zone.

“Nobody would be left out everybody will be carried along.

“We are going to ensure all parties and groups are kept together for unity for peace before the election,’’ he said.

Babatope commended Dr Eddy Olafeso, the chairman of the party in the zone, for his efforts, and urged all members to support him for progress.