75 years old Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged the presidential flag bearer for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former vice president who called for unity at the convention won a hard-fought battle against the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, after winning most of the votes from delegates for the second time in four years.
Atiku Abubakar contested with Muhamadu Buhari four years ago but lost to the incumbent president in a close election.
Atiku won with about 371 votes against Wike’s 237 votes who came second. Former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki came third with 70 votes while Udom Garbiel Emmanuel came fourth with 38 votes.
The election was largely seen as successful and democratic even though social media analysts suggest the delegates may have been swayed by financial gratifications.
A major game-changer was the stepping down of Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal who stepped down supporting Atiku Abubakar. This eventually changed the dynamics handing the momentum to the former Vice President.
Interesting to note that only Bukola Saraki and Udom Emmanuel waited to celebrate with Atiku Abubakar.
Governor Wike and Tambuwal were not present at Atiku acceptance