Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar today won the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku, who was a vice president during the regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo scored 371, to defeat his closest rival, Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who polled 237.
Other aspirants with the number of votes polled include Bukola Saraki – 70; Sam Ohuanbunwa – 1; Anyim Pius Anyim – 14; Udom Emmanuel – 38 votes; Bala Mohammed – 20 and Diana – 1. 12 void votes were recorded.
In his acceptance speech, Atiku promised to unite all the ethnic groups that the All Progressive Congress (APC) ruling party led by President Muhammadu Buhari has divided along ethnic and religious lines.
His words, “Today, the battle to rebuild and unite our great country moves forward. I’m honoured to be named the PDP candidate. I look forward to speaking with Nigerians across the country, taking the message of hope and unity as we build one future for one people.”
Describing the presidential primary as one of the freest elections in Nigeria, Atiku noted that history which would bring fundamental change in governance has been made with his emergence as PDP candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election.
Referring to himself as a unifier, the astute politician assured of keeping to his promise to fight issues that have pushed Nigeria to the point of collapse.
He said he would deal decisively with security and economic challenges confronting the nation, saying if elected as the president of the nation, he would make misgovernance a thing of the past.
He urged aspirants who have issues with the conduct of the election to seek redress through the party’s internal mechanism rather than going to courts that would be giving contradicting judgements capable of truncating the nation’s democracy.
He enjoined all the party members to work with him in ensuring victory in the forthcoming presidential election, assuring of being fair to all.
Atiku also appealed to party members that have decamped to other political parties to return for the progress of the PDP.
