The Presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has praised Bola Tinubu for securing the All Progressives Congress’ Presidential ticket on Wednesday.
Tinubu triumphed in the ruling party’s primary with a total of 1271 votes beating his closest rival, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 316 votes. Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo finished third with 235 votes.
Atiku took to his Twitter handle to send out a congratulatory message to the former governor of Lagos and praised his tenacity.
“Congratulations, @officialABAT, on your emergence as your party’s presidential candidate,” the tweet read.
“It has been a hard-fought contest, but that you prevailed confirms your tenacity.”
Atiku beat the likes of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki to represent the PDP as its Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections
75-year-old scored 371 votes. His closest challenger, Wike, polled 237 votes, while Saraki polled 70 votes.
It will be Atiku’s sixth attempt for the nation’s top job.
Victory well deserved – Ahmad Lawan
Meanwhile, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan has also congratulated Tinubu.
Ahmed who contested against Tinubu in the race described the primary as “manifestly free and fair” and hailed the former Lagos Governor for prevailing in the race.
“The outcome of the election process has shown that Your Excellency is the popular choice of our party for that assignment,” he wrote in a statement uploaded to his Facebook page.
“I do not have an iota of doubt in the wisdom of that decision by our Party’s delegates from across the country.”
Beyond hailing Tinubu’s victory and the conduct of the primary, Lawan believes the former Lagos governor has all it takes to lead the party to victory in the general elections next year.
He said, “Your glittering track record of public service, foresight and grit in party building and administration, as well as the courage you continue to demonstrate in fighting for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria make you worthy of the high esteem and trust of our party members everywhere in Nigeria as exhibited at the National Convention.
“It is on this note that I heartily congratulate you on your well-deserved victory at the primary.
“I have no doubt that with your credentials, experience, antecedents and political sagacity, our great party will go into the 2023 contest confident of victory.” The Senate President restated his commitment to the party and promised to work for its success.
It is a great moment for APC – Fayemi congratulates Tinubu
The Ekiti State Governor has also congratulated Tinubu on his emergence as Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general election.
Fayemi also congratulated the party leadership and the convention planning committee for the successful conduct of the special convention and presidential primary, as well as President Muhammadu Buhari for superintending over a free, fair, and credible process as national leader of the party.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi said Tinubu’s emergence represents the collective wish of the vast majority of members of the APC, adding that the former Lagos State Governor has proven his dedication and competence to lead the country at such an important time in history.
Fayemi, who stepped down and endorsed Tinubu at the convention, described the APC flagbearer as a “long distance runner”, who has the capacity to lead the country to greater heights come 2023.
“It is a great moment for our party,” he said. “I congratulate Asiwaju Tinubu for the well deserved victory and the leadership of the party as well as the convention committee members for a great job.
“Collectively, we shall move from this convention venue with greater determination to strengthen the party and work assiduously for the success of the party in the 2023 elections.”
