As the aftermath of the dramatic PDP Presidential primaries wane on, the Rivers State Governor who was also a presidential aspirant for the PDP, Governor Nyesom Wike has not reacted to the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, convention in Abuja.
Less than 24 hours after the PDP primaries, Wike is yet to congratulate the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar over his victory.
Prior to the commencement of the primaries on Saturday, Wike was one of the leading contenders for PDP’s presidential ticket.
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Recall that Wike had pledged to work with whoever emerges as PDP’s presidential candidate during the primaries in Abuja. However, Atiku won after polling a total of 371 votes to defeat his closest rival, Wike who had 237 votes.
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, came third with 70 votes. Following the conclusion of the convention, there were allegations of vote-buying by Atiku and Wike.
Unconfirmed insinuations alleged that Atiku and Wike bought the votes of delegates in dollars during the primary election. Upon his declaration as winner, Atiku pledged to unite and rebuild Nigeria if he wins the 2023 presidential election.
He also urged other presidential aspirants and Nigerians to join him in winning the general election.
The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has also urged his fellow contestants in the primary election to work with him for the victory of the party.
Abubakar said this on Sunday morning in Abuja in his acceptance speech after he was declared winner of the PDP primary and party’s candidate.
He described the primary election that produced him freest and a well-fought election, pledging to work with the co-aspirants and give them sense of belonging, if elected.
“Let me also use this opportunity to call on my fellow contestants and to assure them that I am ready to cooperate and work with them and give them a sense of belonging in this party and our next government.
“Therefore, my fellow compatriots, I want to appreciate your efforts in deepening our democratic processes in this party. It was a well fought primary election.
“ So, I commend you for that and I look forward to working with you very closely. So that together we can build this party to a level where we can take over the government,” Abubakar said.
He also appealed to aggrieved party members to return to the PDP, pledging that their grievances would be addressed.
Abubakar described the exercise as the freest election conducted by the party, saying the outcome remains historical in bringing fundamental changes to governance and democracy.
“Today, we are making another history. The history, which we believe will bring about fundamental changes in governance and also in our political processes.
“Today, we havWk milestone in the process of our democratic gains,” he said
The former vice president reiterated his pledge to unify the country as well as deal with its economic and security challenges.
He recalled that in his declaration he referred to himself as a unifier and pledged to unify the country.
“I am going to deal decisively with our security challenges in this country. I also pledge to confront our economic challenges, which were caused by the APC government.
“The PDP made Nigeria one of the most prosperous countries on the African continent.
“We implemented economic reforms that brought about jobs, and prosperity in this country,” the gains according to him had been wiped out, pledging to return them.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that Abubakar polled 371 votes to defeat his close contender, Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, who polled 237 votes.
