Chief Ebenezer Babatope, a former Minister of Transport and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has given reasons former President Olusegun Obasanjo will eventually support Atiku Abubakar in 2019.
Babatope, said to be a close friend to Obasanjo said the former President will support Atiku because of his interest for Nigeria.
Speaking with Independent, Ebenezer said Obasanjo’s nationalistic feelings for Nigeria will make him support Atiku despite their differences.
He said: “They don’t know Obasanjo but I know Obasanjo very well. I used to be a very good friend of Obasanjo. In fact, he took me to Angola when I was at the age of 33, and eventually he sacked me from my job.
“What I want to assure you is that when it comes to Nigeria, Obasanjo will stay with Nigeria. Whoever thinks that because Atiku has emerged, Obasanjo will be against him is making a mistake.
“Obasanjo will not go against Atiku because I believe and I think Obasanjo having led the coalition, and is still leading the coalition to ensure the removal of Buhari from power, will never discriminate against Atiku Abubakar; whatever happened between them happened when Obasanjo was President.
“Obasanjo has shown that on some occasions, he goes beyond trivialities, he is very objective. I have no doubt in my heart that eventually, Obasanjo will endorse Atiku. It will surprise Nigerians, because he loves Nigeria, I can assure that. When he took me to Angola, he said something that it has been his wish to fight for African liberation in South Africa.
“I must confess that I don’t agree with him, but nobody can fault Obasanjo’s nationalistic feelings for Nigeria, and I believe that Obasanjo will definitely allow those nationalistic feelings to come to play.”
Also speaking about Atiku’s choice of running mate from South East, Babatope added “I think the South-East should produce a running mate. Not because I was pro-Biafra during the civil war, but I just know that the South-East is fit to provide the vice president.
“But if they want to give us in the South-West, we will be very happy. We have men who can do it, but I think it should be the South-East.
“I don’t see the reason the running mate should not come from the South-East.”
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