Victor Ezeja
Former Nigeria’s Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has pledged to unify the country as he emerges the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election.
Atiku made the promise during his speech after being declared winner of the presidential primary election of the PDP held at Mushood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAtiku won majority of the delegate votes cast during the exercise.
He scored 371 votes to beat his closest rival, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who polled 237 votes.
Former senate president, Bukola Saraki scored 70 votes, taking third position.
Other contenders included former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim (14 votes); Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Gabriel Udom (38 votes); Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, (20 votes); Mrs Tari Diana Oliver (1 vote), and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa (1 vote).
Atiku who hails from Adamawa State, was also the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2019 election.
In his victory speech on Saturday night, Atiku said, he had earlier during his declaration of interest for the presidential post made commitment to five major issues, one of which is unifying the country. “I pledge to unify this country. I refer myself as a unifier,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the reason he feels working to unify the country is important at the moment is because the current government of APC has disunited the country by their activities.
“The government of APC has disunited Nigerians completely; between north and south, east and west, Muslims and Christians; and I therefore pledge that I will work to ensure I restore unity and give a sense of belonging to all Nigerians irrespective of their places of origin and faith they practice.”
Atiku also reiterated his commitment to tackling security and economic challenges confronting the country.
The former vice president also thanked his fellow contestants in the primary for their adherence to the tenets of internal democracy and assured of his readiness to work with them and give all a sense of belonging in the party and the incoming government.
He also appealed to aggrieved party members to sheathe their swords and return so that their grievances would be addressed through the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism instead of going to file actions in law courts that may issue contradictory rulings which would not bode well for the system.
He thanked the leadership of the party and PDP governors who worked hard to ensure that the national convention held.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
