After the presidential primary, Atiku visited his closest challengers in their homes to enlist their support for the main votes
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been receiving high profile northern leaders at his Abuja home after emerging presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that Atiku clinched the ticket of PDP in a Special Convention of the party held on Saturday, May 28 with 371 votes after a fellow northern aspirant, Aminu Tambuwal, stepped down for him at the moment voting was about to commence. That move, which put Atiku ahead of others, is believed to have been orchestrated by northern leaders.
Atiku’s closest challenger, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, polled a total of 237 votes to come second in the keenly contested primary election.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki had 70 votes, Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, polled 38 votes; Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed garnered 20 votes while former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim received 14 votes.
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Atiku visits Anyim, Saraki, Wike after clinching PDP presidential ticket
After the presidential primary, Atiku visited his closest challengers in their homes to enlist their support for the main election.
Among those he visited yesterday, May 30th include Wike, Saraki and Anyim. He said the visit was to bring everyone on board in ensuring that the PDP stood as one and united party in the election.
Then the northern leaders who helped prevail on Tambuwal to step down came calling today at the residence of Atiku. They include the former Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and an aspirant for the PDP ticket who also pulled out of the race, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
In receiving them, Atiku tweeted via his handle: “It was my honour and pleasure playing host to H.E Namadi Sambo, H.E Sule Lamido, H.E Attahiru Bafarawa and Alh Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. The congratulatory visit afforded us to discuss how to strengthen the bond of unity in our dear party, the @OfficialPDPNig, among others. -AA.”