Nigeria’s former Vice President and the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, once again emerged as the party’s flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election after several weeks of politicking and horse-trading.
Some media reports have emerged on how the 75-year-old Atiku beat his closest challenger, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, and other contestants to win the PDP’s presidential ticket for the 2023 general election.
Atiku and Nyesom Wike had about 81% of the votes from the delegates, while the rest of the candidates had to make do with about 19% of the total vote cast.
Mr Abubakar defeated 12 other candidates in a keenly contested presidential primary held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Saturday.
Of the 767 accredited ballots at the election, he polled 371 votes while his closest challenger, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, came second with 237 votes.
Nigeria’s former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, scored 70 votes to come a distant third while Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, came fourth with 38 votes.
The only female in the race, Oliver Diana, and another contestant, Sam Ohuabunwa, scored one vote each.
A former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, scored 14 votes while Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, scored 20 votes.
The other contestants – including former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Magazine Publisher, Dele Momodu – got zero votes as recorded.
His Promise
In his acceptance speech, Atiku pledged to make security and the unity of Nigerians his topmost priority when elected President in 2023.
He appealed to PDP members to come together in the interest of the party and Nigerians who have placed their hopes on the PDP.
Atiku said this in his acceptance speech soon after he was returned as the duly elected presidential candidate of the PDP, in Abuja, on Saturday.
He said: “Today history has been made. The History which we believe will bring about fundamental changes in our electoral system.
Today, we witnessed one of the freest election in the history of our great party.”
