By Bukola Kayode
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who emerged the winner of the keenly contested presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (APC) on Saturday has reiterated that he will running his campaign based on his five-point agenda.
Atiku was presented with the PDP presidential flag by the national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iorchia Ayu.
The PDP candidate in his acceptance speech as the PDP presidential candidate listed just three of the agenda which he said that he mentioned during his announcement of his aspiration.
He listed unifying Nigerians, dealing with the high level of insecurity and revamping the economy as the highlights of
Atiku took a swipe at All Progressives Party, saying the ruling party has failed in keeping Nigeria safe, united and secure. He assured that if PDP is returned to power he will spearhead economic rejuvenation.
The PDP presidential flagbearer also remembered the poor whom he said must be helped to escape poverty.
He said: “On the 23rd of March this year when I stood before you and Nigerians to declare my interest to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In that statement, I made a commitment to five issues, one was the pledge to unify the country. That was why I referred to myself as the unifier.
“The reason why I felt and feel this is very important for us is because the government of the APC has completely disunited Nigerians, between north and south, east and west, Muslim and Christian. I therefore pledge that I will restore unity and give a sense of belonging to all Nigerians irrespective of their place of origin and the faith they practice.
“Of course I committed that I was going to deal decisively with our security challenges in this country. I also pledged to confront our economic challenges which were all caused by the APC government”.
Atiku who was PDP’s presidential flag-bearer in 2019 scored 371 votes to beat the Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike to second place with 237 votes. Immediate past Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki came a distant third with 70 votes. Another former President of the Senate Anyim Pius Anyim recorded 14 votes, this is while the Bauchi State governor Sen. Bala Mohammed scored 20 votes and the Akwa-Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel had 38 votes, foremost Industrialist, Sam Ohuabunwa scored only one vote. Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu scored no vote, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose also had no votes to his name. A total of 763 votes were cast.
Counting lasted for close to an hour as voting was done in timely version after the aspirants has earlier taken turns to pitch their candidature. Counting and sorting of the votes was supervised by Gov. Diri Douye of Bayelsa State.
Former Senate President and chairman of the PDP special convention committee, Sen. David Mark upon receiving the counted votes announced Atiku as the winner. Mark has earlier announced the votes of other aspirants.
The countdown to the PDP presidential primary held at the MKO stadium Abuja was bugged by rumors of delegates being induced with large sums of money.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained that its operatives stormed the ongoing presidential primary elections of the major opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party at the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola National Stadium in Abuja over talk of the sharing of money to delegates for their votes.
Sunday Punch quotes the anti-graft agency’s Public Relations Officer, Wilson Uwujaren, as saying: “Our operatives are at the ongoing PDP presidential primary elections at the MKO Abiola Stadium to monitor the exercise, and most especially, to check delegates inducement and other financial malpractices”.
Recall that the EFCC stormed the venue of the ongoing PDP’s presidential primary elections in Abuja following reports of alleged vote buying and bribing of delegates at the event.
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