National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for clinching the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections.
WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that Atiku polled 371 votes to defeat other frontline aspirants – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki who polled 237 and 70 votes at the primary election conducted at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Saturday.
Tinubu, who commended Atiku for his patriotism and commitment to Nigeria’s progress, also congratulated the other contestants for the orderly and peaceful way they conducted themselves.
The former Lagos State governor said he expected Atiku, who was also the 2019 presidential candidate of the PDP, to be his worthy opponent, by the Grace of God in the coming 2023 President election.
Tinubu added that the coming election should be about issues that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians; bring peace, progress, political stability and solve myriad of sociopolitical challenges and insecurity currently facing the country.
“I welcome the victory of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded primary. I look forward to squaring up with him as a worthy opponent in the coming election. I have known the former Vice President as a formidable politician and a patriot who believes in the unity and progress of our dear country.
He said; “As we move further into the election season, I charge the PDP presidential candidate and all political actors across Party lines that we should make this election season one that is devoid of bitterness, rancour and strife.
“We should make our campaigns peaceful and issue based. Election season should be a festival of ideas that will uplift our country and improve the living condition of all our people.
“Unfortunately for the PDP, its candidate will be burdened to explain why Nigerians should give it another opportunity, after squandering 16 years at the central government, without much to show.
“Nigerians are yet to forget the national ruin and mismanagement of our country for 16 years by successive PDP administration and this bad memory will dog the campaign of the PDP Candidate
“Nevertheless, I once again congratulate our former Vice President for his victory in his party’s primary.”