Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida on Thursday endorsed Chief Raymond Dokpesi for the position of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP had scheduled its convention for Dec. 19 to elect its national chairman.

Babangida made this known when Dokpesi paid a courtesy visit to his residence in Minna.

He urged party faithful to use the convention to uphold the visionary ideals of the founding fathers of the party based on democratic tenets.

“Democracy is about choice and only people with vision, courage and strong commitment to the unity of the country such as you can lead the PDP.

“Politicians should always have a vision for a united and strong Nigeria as a shining example of democracy in Africa,” Babangida said.

The former military president described Dokpesi as a strong pillar in the country’s democracy.

“Therefore, I have blessed High Chief Dokpesi to pursue the noble objective of contesting for the post of national chairman of PDP,’’ he said.

Dokpesi thanked Babangida for believing in him to shoulder such onerous responsibility.

He prayed God to continue to protect the former leader and give him the wisdom to contribute positively to the development of the country.

Dokpesi was accompanied on the visit by Sen. Annette Okon, Sen. Paul Wampana, Sen. Yisa Braimoh and Auwalu Bamanga-Tukur among others.