2023: Atiku clinches PDP ticket, beats Wike, Saraki, others
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By Miracle Olotuche
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has won the Presidential ticket of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Atiku polled 371 out of the 767 accredited votes to defeat his closest rival , Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who polled 237 Votes former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, came a distant third with 70 votes.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim scored 14 votes, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed 20 votes and Udom Emmanuel 38 votes.
Dele Momodu and Ayo Fayose, Charles Ugwu, and Chikwendu Kalu scored zero votes each while Tarella Diana and Sam Ohuabunwa each received one vote each.
After an initial scare, the Presidential primary of the party went on smoothly at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Saturday in Abuja,.
Before the commencement of voting, the chairman of the Chairman, 2022 PDP National Convention Organizing Committee, Sen. David Mark, announced that one of the aspirants had an announcement to make.
Party members and delegates waited with their hearts in their mouths as the Sokoto State Governor, Waziri Tambuwual approached the dais.
Soon after he climbed, he dropped the bombshell- he was withdrawing from the race.
He based his decision on wide consultations noting that it was in the best interest of the party and the nation.
Tambuwual urged his supporters to vote for Atiku. The crowd of supporters went wild in jubilation.
His however decision altered earlier permutations prompting of speculations that delegates from the North West would vote for Atiku in block.
Matter were further complicated by an announcement by the David Mark-led Electoral Committee banning the use of electronic devices such as phones from the voting area.
This did not go down well with an agent of one of the aspirants who protested openly.
The Electoral Panel also announced that of the 774 delegates expected to participate in voting, only 767 were accredited and were the ones cleared to vote.
