Following the outcomes of the presidential primaries of
the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress
(APC), President Goodluck Jonathan is now set to once again engage
Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state, in a fierce
competition in the presidential election scheduled for February 14,
2015.
The two men had in 2011 contested the presidency. While
Buhari ran on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive
Change (CPC), Jonathan contested on the PDP ticket.
In his acceptance speech, shortly after the ratification
of his adoption as the sole candidate of his party for the presidential
election, President Jonathan pledged that he would not fail Nigerians
and that his target would be to ensure that the living standard of
Nigerians improved.
Jonathan said his nomination as the PDP presidential
candidate exemplified the party’s determination to ensure that democracy
in Nigeria yielded the desired benefits to Nigerians.
He assured that the country’s fight against corruption was on course and would be won.
The president said his administration was strongly
committed to the observance of human rights, adding that no Nigerian
would be persecuted for holding a contrary view.
For his part, Buhari, who addressed delegates before the
exercise, said: “We seek a new Nigeria. It starts with us. It starts
today. I have placed myself before you, seeking your help to nominate me
as your standard bearer for our progressive party, APC.
“Personal ambition does not drive me in this regard. I
seek to be the next president of our beloved nation because I believe I
have something to offer Nigeria at this time of multiple crises.
Insecurity, corruption, and economic collapse have brought the nation
low. Time is due that we work together to lift Nigeria up.
“I am ready to lead Nigeria to its rightful future.
I have always served Nigeria to the best of my ability.
I have always tried to give more to the nation than it has
given me. This is the principle of service that has guided my public
life. Thus, I am not a rich person. I can’t give you a pocketful of
dollars or naira to purchase your support. Even if I could, I would not
do so. The fate of this nation is not up for sale,” he added.
Jonathan, who retains Namadi Sambo as his running mate,
polled 2,812 ‘YES’ votes to get the needed support from the party in a
result that was announced in the early hours of Thursday, at the Eagle
Square venue of the event, while Buhari emerged winner with 3,430 votes
out of the 5,932 votes cast by the delegates at the presidential primary
held inside the main bowl of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, former Nigerian vice president
and one of the presidential aspirants of the APC , along with three
other three contestants, conceded defeat in the party’s primaries to
Buhari.
The former vice president came third with 954 votes, while
Rabiu Kwankwaso, governor of Kano State emerged second with 974 votes.
Coming behind Kwankwaso was Rochas Okorocha, Imo State governor, who
polled 624 votes and Sam Ndah Isaiah with 10 votes. All the losers
pledged to work together with Buhari and the party leadership to win the
2015 presidential election.
Atiku in his congratulatory message after the results of
the election were announced at about 5:30 pm Thursday, said: “I heartily
congratulate General Muhammadu Buhari for emerging victorious in this
keenly contested presidential primary election of our great party, the
APC. You ran a spirited campaign, and since the delegates have spoken,
you fully deserve the victory.
“I am very confident that you will provide the needed
leadership to turn this country around. I have no doubt that you will
work with dedicated and qualified Nigerians to protect our citizens,
improve our economy, create jobs, improve education, reform governance
and fight corruption. You will indeed bring the change Nigerians have
been yearning for. Once more, congratulations.
“I congratulate the other contestants, namely governors
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Rochas Okorocha, as well as the erudite Sam
Nda-Isaiah. You have all demonstrated your commitment to democracy by
participating in this transparent process and by campaigning vigorously
across this country.
“I thank our delegates for their sacrifices and their
commitment to democracy. In particular, I thank those who voted for me
for your faith in me. However, since we came up short, we have to now
rally behind General Buhari to help him prevail in the coming
presidential election,” he said.
According to him, “The APC has demonstrated, through the
transparent process, the party’s commitment to democracy and rule of
law. It has demonstrated its respect for people and their choice through
the ballot box. I sincerely thank the convention committee for putting
together a hitch-free convention.
“My dear friends, we have voted, a winner has emerged. I
pledge my commitment to this party, and to campaign vigorously for our
candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, and all APC candidates to ensure
victory in the 2015 elections. I call on all other contestants and our
party’s rank and file to unite behind our candidates at all levels to
ensure that the PDP is defeated, so Nigerians can have real change.”
Also speaking, Rabiu Kwankwaso, assured that all the members would work for the same course.
Rochas Okorocha, who acknowledged the internal democracy
exhibited by the party, said: “I believe that it’s God that has made
this possible for him and it is for a purpose.”
He also noted that “today the South-East has a sense of
belonging in this great party,” adding that the outcome of the primary
is a coma in his political carrier.”
A cross section of Nigerians living in major parts of the
northern states took to the streets to celebrate the emergence of former
Head of State, Muhammad Buhari, as the presidential flag-bearer for the
All Progressive Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2015 general
election.
Of the 7,214 votes cast by the delegates at the third APC
National Convention, Buhari emerged winner with 3,430 votes, followed by
Kwankwaso with 974 votes; Atiku polled 954, Okorocha got 624 votes;
Nda-Isaiah got 10 votes while 16 votes were declared as invalid.
While announcing the result of the presidential primary,
Kayode Fayemi, chairman of the electoral committee and the returning
officer, 5,932 votes received while 7,214 delegates were accredited.
“Having won the majority of votes cast, it is my pleasure
and honour to declare Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the All
Progressive Congress presidential primary in preparation for the 2015
presidential election,” after which he handed over the certificate of
return to Buhari.
He pledged to hold meeting with all stakeholders within
the party on the best way to tackle the problems confronting the
country.
In his remarks, John Odigie-Oyegun, APC national chairman,
who commended the leadership of the party and the Convention Planning
Committee, assured Nigerians of the party’s commitment towards rescuing
Nigeria from the numerous crises bedevilling the country.
“For all of you who are here and those who have gone, you
have made history. In my almost 30 years in politics, I’ve never seen
success like this,” he said.
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