Atiku Abubakar, a former Former Vice President of Nigeria has been elected as the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
Atiku scored 371 votes in the party’s primaries conducted in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Saturday. His closest challenger, Wike, polled 237 votes. 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 valid votes.
Recall, Atiku was also 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.