* Tinubu Commends Him, Says His Victory Long Expected

By Desmond Ukandu (Politics Editor, who was at the Convention)

Nigeria's former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday night, finally emerged as the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

By his victory, the former Vice President and two-time presidential candidate of the PDP will fly the flag of the opposition party in the 2023 presidential election slated for Saturday, February 28, next year. Atiku is also going to slug it out at the poll with whoever emerges the presidential flagbearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside the candidates of other political parties.

Atiku scored a total delegate votes of 371 at the special national convention of the PDP held in the velodrome at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, to beat his closest rival and governor of Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

While Atiku emerged with 371 votes out of a total valid votes of 751, his challenger, Wike came second with 237 votes. Former Senate President and ex-governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki polled 70 votes; governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel got 38 votes, while Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed scored 20 votes.

Ebonyi State-born former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim also scored 18 votes, while seasoned pharmacist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa finished last with only one (1) vote. Out of a total delegate vote of 763, 12 were voided.

Meanwhile, one of the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and a frontline presidential contender in the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated Atiku on his victory at the weekend PDP primary.

In a statement on Saturday night by the Director, Media and Communications of his Campaign Organization, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, a foremost Journalist and former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tinubu described Atiku as a patriot noted for his commitment to Nigeria’s progress.

Tinubu also congratulated the other contestants for the orderly and peaceful way they conducted themselves and for pledging to rally round the winner, in the true spirit of democratic sportsmanship. He said he is strongly expecting that the former Vice-president would be his opponent, by the Grace of God and the support of APC delegates, in the coming 2023 presidential election.

The APC Chieftain however stated that Atiku’s victory at the primary was not surprising to Nigerians, as according to him, Atiku has a vast experience as a statesman and veteran of many presidential contests since 1993.

Tinubu said while he welcomed the PDP candidate to the 2023 presidential race, he said the election campaigns should be about issues that would improve the quality of life of Nigerians; bring peace, progress, political stability and solve myriad of socio-political challenges and insecurity besetting the country.

The APC presidential aspirant said: “I welcome the victory of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded primary. I look forward to squaring up with him as a worthy opponent in the coming election. I have known the former Vice President as a formidable politician and a patriot who believes in the unity and progress of our dear country.

“As we move further into the election season, I charge the PDP presidential candidate and all political actors across party lines that we should make this election season one that is devoid of bitterness, rancour and strife. We should make our campaigns peaceful and issue-based. Election season should be a festival of ideas that will uplift our country and improve the living condition of all our people.

“Unfortunately for the PDP, its candidate will be burdened to explain why Nigerians should give it another opportunity, after squandering 16 years at the central government, without much to show. Nigerians are yet to forget the national ruin and mismanagement of our country for 16 years by successive PDP administrations and this bad memory will dog the campaign of the PDP Candidate.

“Nevertheless, I once again congratulate our former Vice President for his victory in his party’s primary", Tinubu stated. NNL.