A presidential hopeful of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, says he is looking forward to contesting the 2023 presidency against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Tinubu stated this in a congratulatory message to Atiku, who emerged as the winner of the Saturday’s presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Tinubu, in a statement on Sunday, said Atiku will be a worthy opponent in the 2023 general elections.
He said, “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.”
By emerging as the PDP’s candidate, Atiku will be contesting for the post of president for the sixth time.
The 75-year-old politician from Adamawa State polled 371 votes to win the party’s ticket at the primary held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
His closest rival, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike scored 237 votes to come second in the contest, while the immediate past President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki got 70.
Below are others contestants and their total of votes, Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel 38, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed 38, Former Senate President Pius Anyim 14, Mrs Tari Diana Oliver One, and Mr Sam Ohuabunwa one.
In his message Tinubu 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 administrations 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.”