By Goodluck Ikiebe in Abuja.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The Presidential Candidate of Nigeria’s main opposition party,
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to unify the country,if he wins presidential election next year.
Atiku, a former Vice President of Nigeria, made the promise in Abuja,in his speech, following his victory in the party’s national delegates convention, where he polled 371 votes to beat his closest rival, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who scored 237 votes during the exercise held on Saturday in Abuja.
Our Correspondent the outcome of the primary election showed that Saraki,a former Senate President, polled 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.
“That’s why I refer to myself as a unifier.The reason 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,” he said.
The Adamawa-born politician promised to fix the economy and tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.
“The PDP made Nigeria one of the most prosperous countries in Africa.
We implemented economic reforms. The APC wiped out all those gains,”he added.
Atiku, however,pleaded with fellow contestants to work with him and ensure that PDP retakes power in next year’s exercise.
Earlier in the day, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State had withdrawn from the race, asking his supporters to back Atiku.
“I have come to the conclusion, to the glory of God Almighty, seeing millions of Nigerians suffering and the need for us to close ranks in the party and as one of the leaders in this party, I have come to a patriotic conclusion to step down my aspiration,” Tambuwal told the delegates.
“And not only that, I appeal to my supporters to take this in good strides and for national unity and patriotism – not only that, those who are delegates here – should vote for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”
Checks revealed that the 2023 election will be Atiku Abubakar’s sixth attempt for the presidency. In 2019, he was the PDP candidate but lost to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.