Former Minister of Transport and member, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Ebenezer Babatope has said, Governors swapping the Umbrella for the Broom are doing so because they do not believe that power to decide who wins elections, does not belong to the people.
Babatope made the statement in an interview with Saturday Sun while responding to questions on Governor Umahi of Ebonyi State's defection to the APC, and reports that many more governors from the South East region could also jump ship.
He said while it doesn't make sense to join a party currently not favored by the people, he said whoever wants to leave the PDP is free to do so. He however, noted that unless the ruling party does something similar to last year's election, the PDP is in a more better position to reclaim power in 2023 elections.
He said, "If some other PDP governors want to join Umahi let them go ahead but what I know is that God will decide the 2023 general election in favour of those who favour the people, and the PDP right now favours the Nigerian people and it is my hope that APC will not do anything that will obstruct PDP from sweeping into power come 2023.
"Although some people may be thinking about the implications of that should it happen but then this is democracy, you can’t force people against their own wish. The Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and association. It is ideal that they should remain in PDP but if they want to leave the party nobody can hold them against their wish.
"Some Nigerians are saying that all these unfolding events have to do with 2023, and the party’s presidential ticket being zoned to the South-east but what I know is that it is the party that will take that decision.If it is the wish of the party to give the ticket to the South-east,why not? The South-east has good materials like other zones.
"I believe that PDP should try to give it to the South-east on the basis of equity, and justice because it is the only geo-political zone that is yet to have it since 1999. Other five geo-political zones have had it but however this is my own personal opinion, it is the party that will take the final decision, it is the party that will have the final say over the issue. What is however important is that there should be justice for all. What I know again is that the PDP will never deny the South-east the right to field candidates for elections including that of the presidency."