Atiku has defeated Wike, Saraki and others to emerge as PDP Presidential flagbearer.
Glamtush reports that Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he defeated 11 other aspirants at the party’s presidential primary election National Convention held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Atiku won the primary by 371 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who polled 237 votes, while a former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, scored 70 votes.
Emmanuel (38), Mohammed (38), Anyim Pius Anyim (14), Mrs Tari Diana Oliver (1) and Sam Ohuabunwa (1) shared the remainder of the valid votes.
It will be the 75-year-old’s sixth attempt for the nation’s number one job.
He was also the PDP’s candidate in the last election in 2019, which he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.
This online platform recalls that before voting commenced on Friday at the primary election in Abuja, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal stepped down for Atiku, a move that strengthened the Adamawa politician’s bid for the ticket.
In his victory speech, the PDP Presidential Flagbearer commended the electoral process employed in the primary.
“Today we are making another history,” he said. “A history which we believe will bring about fundamental changes and also in our political processes.”
He reiterated that his campaign will be built on five fundamentals, including a pledge to unify the country.
“I pledge to unify this country,” he said. “That’s why I refer to myself as a unifier.
“The reason why I feel that unity is important is because APC has disunited Nigerians completely.
“I will work to restore unity and bring a sense of belonging to all Nigerians.”
Mr Atiku vowed to decisively deal with the country’s security challenges and confront its economic problems.
“The PDP made Nigeria one of the most prosperous countries in Africa,” he said. “We implemented economic reforms. The APC wiped out all those gains.”
He also called on his fellow contestants to work and cooperate with him.
