Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a man who has been making attempts at Nigeria’s presidency since 1992, yesterday emerged the presidential candidate of the PDP after a keen contest that saw him Atiku polling 371 votes at the election which held at MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Saturday.

He was given a hot chase by Governor Nyesom Wike, who ran a good campaign determined to create an upset, who came second polling 237 votes. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki got 70 votes, while Governors Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi polled 38 and 20 votes respectively.

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation got 14 votes while Diana Oliver and Samuel Ohuabumwa got one vote each while 12 votes were voided in the exercise.

Atiku promised to work for the development of the country if elected president. He said it considered it an honour to emerged the Presidential candidate of Nigeria’s opposition party.

“Today, the march to rebuild and unite our great country moves forward. I am honoured to be named the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. I look forward to speaking with Nigerians across the country, taking the message of hope and unity as we build one future for one people,” he said.

Atiku was the candidate of the PDP in the 2019 elections won by President Muhammadu Buhari.