How Atiku Emerged As PDP’s Presidential Candidate For 2023 Elections

Late Saturday night, a former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubabakar secured the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to run for the 2023 presidential election.

The 75-year-old Adamawa born politician will now embark on his sixth attempt for the nation’s top job.

He was the PDP’s candidate in the last election in 2019, which he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.

To win the PDP’s 2023 ticket, Atiku had to beat the likes of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Before voting commenced on Friday at the primary election in Abuja, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal stepped down for Atiku, a move that strengthened the Adamawa politician’s bid for the ticket.

It was a major turning point in an election that some party big wigs who spoke to RovingNaija, considered a two-horse race between Mr. Atiku Abubakar and Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

Late into the night on Saturday when the votes were eventually tallied and announced, Mr Atiku scored 371 votes. His closest challenger, Governor Nyesom Wike, polled 237 votes while a former Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki pulled 70 votes.

Emmanuel (38), Mohammed (38), Anyim Pius Anyim (14), Mrs Tari Diana Oliver (1) and Sam Ohuabunwa (1) shared the remainder of the eligible votes.

RovingNaija reports that the presidential primary of the main opposition party was conducted in an atmosphere free of rancour or violence.

The candidates for the election displayed maturity and rallied round Mr. Atiku after his declararion and during his acceptance speech wherein he called on aggrieved members of the party to allow the internal mechanism run its full course to address their grievances instead of seeking redress in court.