Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has won the Presidential ticket of Nigeria’s main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after a “crushing victory” against his challengers.
Atiku scored 371 votes representing 54% of the total number of delegate votes cast to best off his closest rival, River State Nysom Wike to a distant second position with 237.
The long-drawn battle for the sole ticket of Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ended in favour of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku snatched the party’s ticket- setting a humiliating distance between himself and his closest rival, Governor Nysom Wike.
Trailing far behind them were the likes of former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki (North Central) who scored 70 votes, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom with 38 votes in third place and
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammed(20 votes) in the fourth place.
Atiku’s chance of winning PDP’s ticket received a boost when
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal stepped down from the race for him, and instructed delegates in his camp to deliver their votes to Atiku.
One of the aspirants, renowned economist, Mohammad Hayatudeen had earlier withdrawn from the race setting off a chain of last minute political horse trading and with Tambuwal out of the race, the final showdown was now destined to be between Atiku and Wike and it does seems Atiku’s last minute appeal to the delegates paid off.
The PDP primaries which held in the Velodrome at the National Stadium in Abuja is perhaps the most decent PDP had organized since 1999.
Atiku had in 2019 secured the party’s ticket losing to APC’s candidate and incumbent President, Muhammed Buhari.
The Adamawa State born politician and business tycoon returns 4 years after to reclaim PDP’s ticket for his sixth Presidential bid he hopes will count this time around.
Results so far released
- Anyim Pius Anyim – 14 votes
- Udom Emmanuel – 38 votes
- Sen Bala Mohammed – 20
- Senator Bukola Saraki – 70
- Nyesom Wike – 237
- Ayo Fayose – 0
- Dele Momodu – 0
- Atiku Abubakar 371
Void votes 14
