Tinubu says he looks forward to squaring up with Atiku in the coming election
By Emma Ogbuehi
Former Lagos state governor and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has congratulated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on his victory at the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku picked the PDP ticket in Abuja on Saturday by scoring 371 votes to beat the closest rival, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who polled 237 votes.
In a statement on Sunday, Tinubu congratulated Atiku, looking forward for a keen contest in the general election in 2023 if he (Tinubu) wins the primary of his party.
“I welcome the victory of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded primary. I look forward to squaring up with him as a worthy opponent in the coming election”, Tinubu stated.
Atiku will be contesting for the highest office in the land for the third time having lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling APC in the 2019 polls and late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007.
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He was elected as the PDP candidate at the party’s primary held on Saturday at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Others that contested for the PDP ticket with Atiku were, former Senate President Bukola Saraki (70); Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel (38), Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed (38), Former Senate President Pius Anyim (14), Mrs Tari Diana Oliver (One), and Mr Sam Ohuabunwa (1) shared the remainder of the valid votes. 12 votes were voided.
Tinubu said the former vice president’s victory did not come as a surprise to Nigerians because of his vast experience as a statesman and veteran of many presidential contests from 1993.
He stated that the coming election should be about issues that would improve the quality of life of Nigerians, as well as bring peace, progress, political stability, and solve myriad of socio-political challenges and insecurity facing the country.
“As we move further into the election season, I charge the PDP presidential candidate and all political actors across party lines that we should make this election season one that is devoid of bitterness, rancour, and strife.
“We should make our campaigns peaceful and issue-based. Election season should be a festival of ideas that will uplift our country and improve the living condition of all our people. Unfortunately for the PDP, its candidate will be burdened to explain why Nigerians should give it another opportunity, after squandering 16 years at the central government, without much to show.
“Nigerians are yet to forget the national ruin and mismanagement of our country for 16 years by successive PDP administration and this bad memory will dog the campaign of the PDP Candidate. Nevertheless, I once again congratulate our former Vice President for his victory in his party’s primary”, he noted.