The former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has congratulated the former vice president, Mr. Atiku Abubakar who won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest the 2019 presidential election.
Atiku secured the ticket at the party’s elective convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday polling 1, 532 votes to defeat the other 11 contestants including the Sokoto State governor, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, who had 693 votes, senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki came third with 317 votes.
Babangida who took to his twitter handle @General_Ibbro pledged to work with the PDP flag bearer said: “One of the few reasons I admire Atiku is because he is one of the very few politicians who has a lot of investments in Nigeria; for some of these reasons, he has my blessings. We shall Atikulate together in 2019, my congratulations to him. Ibrahim B. Babangida @General_Ibbro
Also, former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, congratulated the former vice president saying he (Atiku) is a “man who has the capacity to take the country to greater heights.”
“I congratulate His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa, and by the grace of God and the votes of Nigerians, the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our party members have spoken and have nominated you as the candidate for the forthcoming Presidential elections. I am convinced that you have all it takes to take Nigeria to greater heights and transform her into a hub for prosperity and happiness,” he said.
Saraki, who spoke on behalf of the other contestants pledged to support Atiku.
“You truly deserve this. On behalf of all of us, we congratulate you,” he said.
Similarly, the governor of Taraba State, Mr. Darius Dickson Ishaku, congratulated Atiku describing the honour as “well-deserved” adding that “it is a product of his determination and desire to serve his country.”
In a statement signed by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mr. Bala Dan Abu, the governor also commended other party leaders and delegates for making the convention “the best under the present political dispensation in the country.”
He praised them for the discipline and patriotism which according to him, resulted in the hitch-free and credible exercise.
Furthermore, he praised the other aspirants for what he described as their maturity and their pledge to support the winner.
He said with that spirit, victory in the 2019 presidential election was certain for the PDP.
In his reaction, the governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who also congratulated the former vice president, said the credible conduct of the presidential primary election was a confirmation that the PDP is a party that truly practises transparency and internal democracy which gives the people the freedom to choose a leader.
He described Atiku as an experienced administrator, tested politician and a Nigerian who understands the problems facing the country and has the capacity to fix the challenges.
Ortom expressed confidence in the ability of the PDP presidential candidate to provide credible leadership for the country, if given the mandate.
He is optimistic that Nigerians will vote for the rebranded and refocused PDP in next year’s elections to address the plethora of challenges confronting the country and turn around the economy and security situation which the All Progressives Congress (APC), administration has apparently failed to handle.
In his reaction, Reno Omokri, former aide on new media to Jonathan also reacted to Atiku’s emergence saying “@atiku is the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by God’s grace!”
More so, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, Mr. Dele Momodu, said: “Congratulations to Turakin Adamawa, Waziri ATIKU ABUBAKAR on clinching the PDP Presidential ticket and salute his doggedness since his first appearance on the political stage 25 years ago against Chief Moshood Abiola Babagana Kingibe And others.”
Other reactions are:
Demola Olarewaju @DemolaRewaju
As Democracy evolves in Nigeria, the will of the people is becoming most paramount and with #PDPConventionPHC – Atiku did his homework, he did the legwork and he preached two most convincing messages – Restructuring and a Single-Term Tenure.
Mrphilz. @OgbajePhilz
We do not need a saint, we just need someone who Will make things work. Trump is arguably the most controversial U.S President alive. Man has all forms of allegations and cases against him but he’s making things work. @atiku I believe will make things work for us.
Vladimir’ Otets @femiDNL
Atiku is a successful businessman. One of the highest employers in Nigeria. A good student of political history. Worked with great politicians across the country. He’s got business associates from nooks and crannies of the country. Married to a Yoruba woman. He’s the man.
Joe Abuku @JoeAbuku
The #PDPpresidentialPrimaries and the #APCNationalConvention have thrown up #Atiku and Buhari. Would Obasanjo settle for a “lesser evil” of the two or simply look away? #2019Elections
Ndi Kato @YarKafanchan
Atiku is not a lesser evil in the mighty name of Jesus.
Atiku is not in any competition with Buhari as there are no grounds on which they can compete.
Qualifications? Experience? Employment? Understanding of the economy? Mutunci? Heck COMMON SENSE!!! Atiku is not his mate
Klaus @Nick_k1aus
Suddenly everybody loves Atiku.. I thought we all agreed that we wanted a younger and more intelligent Nigerian to rule over us#PDPpresidentialPrimaries
Umeh@UmehOMA
Congratulations to H.E. @atiku on winning the PDP Presidential Primaries. Now is the time to use all arsenal available, to kick out those who have wasted our time in Government. A new Era is upon us, congratulations to the Next President of Nigeria
Bright Uchemadu @iamswitchme
Dear @atiku,
You have my vote because you are obviously better than what we currently have. But, can you kindly name three (3) things you’d do if elected as the next President of Nigeria? Thanks!
With Channels TV, Premium Times reports
