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Saturday, September 7, 2024

Breaking: Atiku, 16 years after, gets PDP ticket

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As at 11:52a.m., it was obvious that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar got the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to face sitting President, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others.
Atiku had 1532  votes as at 12:17p.m. to better Tambuwal’s 693 votes. Counting for Atiku ended for him at the Adokie Amasieemeka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, venue of the PDP National Convention.
Senate President Bukola Saraki polled 317 votes. Nine others fell behind.
It is 16 years after Atiku openly showed interest in becoming President. This put him on a collision course with his former principal, President Olusegun Obasanjo, who almost nailed him with a series of investigation. The former President swore never to support Atiku, until the last few weeks when some other generals persuaded him to give his former deputy a chance.
One source from the Aminu Tambuwal camp confirmed to Everyday.ng in Port Harcourt that the trio of Generals Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Theophillus Yakubu Danjuma swung the votes in favour of Atiku.
He, However, added that Senate President Bukola Saraki’s late entry into the race after working with and for Tambuwal was the former Speaker’s undoing.
“After his victory at the Supreme Court, it occurred to him he could throw in his hat, and that compounded our case. He divided what we were expecting from the National Assembly in Port Harcourt. There were whispers he worked for Atiku, but that is unlikely,” another source said.

Meanwhile, rhe Tambuwal Campaign Organisation has said that the foundations for faith in the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national  convention has already been laid by the fact that the process was transparent, open, free and fair.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by its spokesperson, Dr. Okey Ikechukwu, mni, the Tambuwal Campaign Organisation stressed that all the agents of the presidential aspirants attested to the credibility of the exercise.

 “Nigerians are our witnesses here. We must commend the leadership of the PDP, the convention committee, party delegates and party faithful for the thoroughness, maturity and patience that enhanced the credibility of process itself,” Dr. Ikechukwu said.

He noted that the aspirants also showed to the world that they are not desperate for power, but are in the contest for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians.

 “We could all see their maturity, composure and show of brotherly love and support, which made a decent contest among responsible brothers,” he said.

He continued; According to Dr. Ikechukwu, “By the success of this exercise, the PDP has demonstrated to the world that our great party is ready to rejig  Nigeria and that it remains a truly democratic party that allows free and full participation of all.

“There is no imposition here. We shall have an uncontested result. It is all happening in the full glare of Nigerians.  No one will concoct some imaginary figures and inflict on others, as is happening is some other parties.

The transparency of the process has laid an unshakeable foundation for incontrovertible outcomes,” Ikechukwu concluded.

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