How Atiku Emerged As Buhari’s Main Challenger

How Atiku Emerged As Buhari’s Main Challenger

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday emerged as the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), making him the main challenger to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 presidential election.

At the party’s national convention which held at the Adokie Amiesiekema Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Atiku polled 1,532 votes to defeat his closest rival Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who scored 693 votes.

Senate President Bukola Saraki scored 317 votes to come third, while Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso followed with 158 votes. Alhaji Sule Lamido polled 96 votes, while former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi scored 74 votes.

Former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki scored 65 votes while former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa got 48 votes.

Former Senate President David Mark got 35 votes, former Plateau State Governor Jona Jang scored 19 votes, while Datti Baba-Ahmed had 5 votes.

Factors that worked for Atiku

Daily Trust learnt that two factors worked for Atiku’s victory. One is his campaign on restructuring which earned him the support of delegates for the South East, South West and South-South.

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State said all the delegates from the state voted for Atiku to help in his fight for restructuring the country.

Some other issues played out in the build up to the convention, including the 11th hour endorsement of Atiku by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other generals, which necessitated the presence of General Aliyu Gusau at the convention.

A member of the Atiku campaign organisation, who does not want his name in print, said the major decider was the 11th hour support of the candidature of Atiku by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other past generals.

Another factor that worked for Atiku is the resolve of some northern delegates to vote for a candidate that has the clout to stand against President Buhari in 2019.

“If you take a look at all the aspirants, you will observe that Atiku is the most formidable candidate that can stand Buhari in any election. I do not mean that other aspirants are not credible but you needed somebody that has a clout to march Buhari head on and that personality is Atiku Abubakar,” said a delegate who pleaded anonymity.

Another source said Atiku won the primaries because some PDP governors and other stakeholders took him for granted.

But the Coordinator of Atiku Media Office, Paul Ibe, said the delegates voted with passion in order for the PDP to reclaim power and fix the socio-economic, political and security challenges bedevilling the nation.