Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has received his return certificate after emerging as a standard bearer for the 2023 elections.
Party chairman Iyorchia Ayu presented him with the certificate on Wednesday at the PDP Secretariat in Abuja.
The presentation comes about four days after the party’s national convention, where it won the primary election.
The former vice president won the race with 371 votes from the 767 national delegates accredited for the primary elections.
Atiku receives return certificate.
His closest rival, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, got 237 votes and was followed by Bukola Saraki with 70 votes.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel got 38 votes, Bala Mohammed 20 votes, Pius Anyim got 14 votes and Sam Ohuabunwa got one vote.
About 12 votes were invalid.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr. Tambuwal dropped out of the race just before voting began and how that move was a major factor in Mr. Atiku’s victory.
After receiving the certificate, Mr. Abubakar noted that the victory is a victory for the party and for the “majority of Nigerians who suffer under APC misrule.
He described his victory as a collective effort.
While he thanked the convention’s organizing committee led by former Senate President David Mark and the National Labor Committee for a fair and credible convention, he cautioned that the convention was just a competition within a family and that work needed to be done. in harmony to dethrone the ruling APC.
Atiku receives return certificate.
“The main contest is to win the Presidency of our country for our party. And it requires the entire PDP family and other supporters,” he said.
He said that unity at a time like this is important so that the party can “confront real opponents, defeat them in the elections and start the process of rescuing and rebuilding the country.”
APC’s cruel and dangerous misrule over the past seven years is there for all to see, he added.
As well as being a key part of his campaign and pledges, Mr. Abubakar also preached unity to other party members who competed in the national convention.
He had visited Messrs. Tambuwal, Wike, Anyim and Saraki to seek their support before the general election.
Atiku receives return certificate.
While Tambuwal dropped out of the race and asked his supporters to vote for Abubakar on the day of the convention, Saraki stayed behind to congratulate the candidate while Wike stormed out.
However, the trio vowed to work with and support Abubakar for the good of the party and the country.
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