Atiku Emerges PDP presidential Candidate

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged the presidential flag bearer of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the 2023 presidential election.

Atiku was elected by the 763 adhoc delegates who voted in the primary election held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

There were a total of 12 void votes.

While former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, had no votes recorded in their names, both Tari Oliver Diana and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa scored one vote each, which means they voted for themselves.

Senator Pius Anyim, former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) polled 14 votes; Udom Emmanuel Gabriel, governor of Akwa Ibom State garnered 38 votes; Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi State, garnered 20 votes, while Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kwara State and former Senate President, had 70 votes.

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers State. polled a total 237 votes to come second in the keenly contested primary election.

Atiku garnered a total 371 to emerge the winner.

Immediately his votes surpassed 237 which Wike garnered, his supporters erupted in joy.

He also won the party’s ticket to contest the 2019 presidential election which President Muhammadu Buhari won.

The governor of Sokoto State and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, had earlier stepped down and urged his supporters to vote for Atiku Abubakar.
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Wike had also pledged to fully support anyone who emerged as the candidate. But despite his pledge to fully support the winner, Wike didn’t come up to the podium when the former aspirants were invited to join the winner make his acceptance speech.

Atiku Abubakar hails from Adamawa State in the Northeast geopolitical zone.

This is about the fifth time that Atiku, who is in his late 1970s will be involved in a presidential contest.

Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, had earlier pull out of the race and resigned from the main opposition party. He has since joined the Labour Party.

In his acceptance speech, Atiku thanked the members of the committee that conducted the election led by former Senate President, David Mark, the delegates and the party executives.

He also called for unity and called on his co-contestants to join hands with him in rebuilding the party and ensuring that PDP wins back power in 2023.

“Today, we are making another history, a history which we believe will bring about fundamental changes in governance and the country’s political processes,” Atiku said.

Tagging the primary election one of the freest elections to be conducted by the PDP, Atiku said it was “another milestone to consolidate our democratic gains.”

He took a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Party (APC), accusing it of disuniting Nigeria completely but promised that he will be the unifier that Nigeria needs.