Ex Minister, Babatope Reacts To The Defection Of PDP Chieftains, Adeniran, Gana To SDP

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Ex Minister, Babatope Reacts To The Defection Of PDP Chieftains, Adeniran, Gana To SDP

 

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, on Saturday said that the exitof Prof. Tunde Adeniran and Prof. Jerry Gana from PDP would not diminish the party’s strength.

Babatope, a former Minister of Transport, said that although the two politicians contributed greatly to the PDP, the party should respect their decision to leave and move on.

“Both Prof. Adeniran and Prof, Gana were strong members of the PDP; unfortunately, they have left; there is nothing anybody can do about that.

“I am not one of those calling for their return to the PDP because they have the democratic right to join any party that suits them.

“Again, they are competent and intelligent adults who must have reasoned very well before they took the decision.

“Even though the feeling might not be too good, being that I have known them for long, especially Adeniran, I cannot fault or stop their decisions.

“I believe the PDP will remain strong even with their exit, as the party was built on strong foundations and not personalities”, he told NAN

He pointed out that Adeniran might have left because of what played out during the last convention of the party, when he vied for the party’s chairmanship position.

Babatope noted that he was also affected by the incident, as the candidate he supported, Chief Olabode George, had to pull out of the race to protest flaws in the electoral process.

“What the party did to us then was painful especially the candidate I supported, Chief Olabode George.

“Governor Dickson, shortly after the convention, visited us on the way forward for the party. So that is past.

“We remain in PDP and we will never leave. I believe strongly in the PDP and its ideals. Both George and I will be in PDP,” he said.

Babatope wished Gana and Adeniran well in their new party, saying he was sure they would be loyal to it.

The party chieftain expressed doubts that the SDP would evolve to be a dominant party before 2019.

The elder statesman said that his doubt was informed by his belief that political parties would need time to develop.

“But if at the end of the day, the SDP develops into a dominant party like its chieftains have claimed, good; then, we will have three dominant parties.

“We will all be competing together for the votes of Nigerians. I think, that will be good for democracy,” he said.

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