The presidential candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has
given a victory speech and accepted to be the
party’s flag bearer in the 2019 presidential
election.
Atiku defeated 11 other contestants in the primary
which ended in the afternoon of Sunday, October 7,
in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
He won the opposition party's presidential ticket by
polling a total of 1, 532 votes with the governor of
Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, coming a distant
second with 693 votes.
Here are key points from the acceptance speech of
the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2019
general elections.
1. Comments on the PDP National Convention
Atiku described presidential primary as the most
credible, transparent free election since the return of
democratic governance in 1999. He described the
convention as “a landmark event.”2. Regards to fellow contestants
The former vice president also commended his
fellow contestants “for displaying a sense of unity, a
sense of purpose and a sense of commitment.”
He expressed readiness to work with all the
contestants.
“I am ever ready to work with each and every one of
them for the realisation of the victory of our party in
the forthcoming elections.“I cannot do it alone,” he
said.3. Tribute to Governor Nyesom Wike and the
Rivers state government
He paid tribute to Governor Nyesom Wike and the
government and people of Rivers state over the
successful host of the convention.
He said: “We look forward to working with you
(Rivers governor and people) so that our party can
be returned to power in the next election.”
4. Tribute to former president Olusegun Obasanjo
Atiku also praised his former boss for choosing him
as a running mate in 1999 and for giving him
important leadership lessons when they served the
country together.
“I wouldn’t have been standing here today if my
former boss president Olusegun Obasanjo has not
made me his vice president.
“Under his tutelage, I learned quite a lot and I
believed the experience I got is going to definitely
impact how eventually we govern this country. I
wish to pay my personal tribute to him,” he added.5. Allegiance to the PDP and party stakeholders
He pledged an unalloyed cooperation with the
stakeholders of the main opposition party. He
particularly pledged to the PDP chairman, Uche
Secondus, “and members of this party that you will
not find me wanting.”
He added that he and the PDP leaders “cannot
afford to fail Nigerians at this very moment.”