Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has emerged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after polling 371 votes at the party’s presidential primary elections held Saturday at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abuja.
The closest contestant to Atiku Abubakar was the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who got 237 votes. Others candidates are Tari Diana Oliver -1 vote; Sam Ohuabunwa -1 vote; Senator Pius Anyim – 14 votes; Governor Bala Mohammed – 20 votes; Governor Udom Emmanuel Gabriel – 38 votes; and Senator Bukola Olusola Saraki – 70 votes.
The primary elections considered transparent, fair and democratic for being conducted through open ballot system and in full public glare as the delegates were called out state by state in their alphabetical order to vote.
According to the announcement by the party, 767 delegates were accredited, 763 delegates voted out of which 12 votes were voided and 751 votes were valid.
Other contestants include Dele Momodu; Chikwendu Kalu; Ugwu Charles Okwudili; Ayodele Fayose; and Anakwenze Nwachukwu but unfortunately they didn’t get any vote. Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, stepped down for Atiku. Another candidate, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, also stepped down but didn’t say he was supporting any particular candidate.
In his acceptance speech after being declared the winner of the PDP presidential primary elections, Atiku highlighted some of what he wants to do if he emerges the president of Nigeria come 2023. He promised to unify the country, create a robust economy that will create employment and fight insecurity.
He said: “Today we are making another history, which we believe will bring about fundamental changes in governance and also in our political processes. Today we have witnessed another one of the freest elections to be conducted by our great party.
“Today marks another milestone in the process to consolidate our democratic years. We will recall that on the 23rd March of this year when I stood before you Nigerians to declare my interest to run for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On that day, I made a commitment to find solutions to issues – to unify this country and that’s why I referred to myself as a unifier. The reason why I feel and think unity is very important for us is because the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disunited Nigerian completely between north and south, east and west, Muslims and Christians. I, therefore, pledged I will work to ensure I restore unity and give a sense of belonging to all Nigerians irrespective of their places of origin and irrespective of the faith they practice.
“I also committed that I will deal decisively the security challenges in this country. I also pledged to confront our economic challenges which were caused by the APC government. The PDP made Nigeria one of the most prosperous countries in the African continent. We created economic reforms that brought about jobs and prosperity to this country. The APC came and wiped away those gains. That’s why I said today is a historic day because it is going to give us an opportunity to reverse all the misgovernance of the APC government.
“I use this opportunity to call on my fellow contestants and to assure them that I’m ready to cooperate and work with them and give them a sense of belonging in this party and our next government. Therefore, my fellow compatriots I want to appreciate their efforts in deepening our democratic processes in this party. It was a well fought primary elections, so I commend you for that and look forward to working with closely, so that together we can take this party to a level where we can take over the government.
“I want to appeal to all aggrieved members of our party that they should please return to our party. We are willing and ready – leadership of the party, our governors and myself to make sure their grievances are resolved within the party. Let me also appeal to our aggrieved party members that there internal mechanisms to resolve all disputes in this party, let’s make use of those internal mechanisms to resolve our disputes in our party instead of going to various law courts and getting contradictory rulings and judgments. It will not augur well for the growth of our party.
“Our party is a very democratic party, it has internal mechanisms to resolve all disputes, therefore, I call on all members of our party to make use of those internal mechanisms. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s remember the poor and ordinary people of this country. Let’s work to resolve most, if not all of their challenges.
“I extend my gratitude to the leadership of our party, governors who have worked day and night to ensure this convention holds. I pray that from today this party will continue to wax stronger by the day. God bless you all.”
