Former Aviation Minister and controversial social critic, Femi Fani-Kayode has congratulated Atiku Abubakar, for emerging the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential flagbearer on Saturday.
Atiku polled a total of 371 votes to defeat his closest rival, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who garnered 237 votes.
Wike was followed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who polled 70 votes.
Gov Aminu Tambuwal had stepped down for Atiku before voting commenced.
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Reacting, Fani-Kayode advised the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to field a northerner to defeat Atiku.
He wrote on Twitter, “Congratulations to @atiku. Not only is he a formidable candidate but he comes from a zone that has not produced a democratically-elected President for 62 years. This is justice.
“@OfficialAPCNg MUST field a NORTHERNER if we want to win. Whichever way, a hard fight lies ahead.”
After weeks of dilly-dallying and horse-trading, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday ignored the clamour for the rotation of the 2023 presidency and elected former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for next year’s general election.
In his acceptance speech, Atiku pledged to unite Nigeria, describing his election as one of the freest in the history of the country.
Before the commencement of voting, one of the aspirants and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal had stepped down from the race and asked his supporters to vote for Atiku.
Tambuwal also congratulated the former vice president after he emerged victorious.
The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and frontline presidential aspirant, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated Atiku on his victory and welcomed him to the presidential contest in the 2023 general election.
In the result of the primary election announced by the Chief Returning Officer and former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, Atiku polled 371 votes to defeat his main challenger and Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, who scored 237 votes. Former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki came a distant third with 70 votes, while Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel and his counterpart in Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed scored 38 votes and 20 votes, respectively.
The delegates cast 763 votes; 12 votes were voided while the number of valid votes was 751.
A former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim got 14 votes while Mr Sam Ohuabunwa and the only female aspirant, Terila Diana Oliver, got one vote each.
A former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose got zero, while the Publisher of Ovation, Mr Dele Momodu, also got zero votes.
Following the alleged inducement of delegates in the ongoing primaries being conducted by political parties, the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday stormed the venue of the PDP national convention in Abuja.
The officers who were in red jackets with the “EFCC” crested at the back, were seen in their numbers walking around and inside the venue.
