Atiku Abubakar yesterday received his certificate of return as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 elections.
The former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, emerged as the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential primary on 28 May 2022 with a total vote of 371 votes.
While receiving his certificate of return, he urge those who had contested with him on Saturday not to take their defeat for granted. But they must all unite and work extremely hard for every single vote in the country ahead of the 2023 election. He admits that there is so much to do. And there is very little time to waste. So let’s get to work.
Atiku called for unity in the PDP further saying, “Let us all remember that what just happened is a contest within a family to decide how to put our best foot forward. The main contest is the one to win the presidency of our country for our party. It will require the entire PDP family and other supporters and sympathizers. We must pull everyone together. Nobody should be excluded; I beg of you.”
He further said, “I am honored and humbled to receive this Certificate of Return having emerged as our party’s candidate in our just concluded special convention. This victory is a victory for all of us, for our party, and the vast majority of Nigerians suffering under the misrule of the APC. It was a collective effort, and I’m very grateful for everybody’s contributions.”
Atiku said, “I am particularly grateful that you kept your word and gave us contestants fair treatment, despite what might have been a difficult situation. Your integrity and even-handedness must be commended. I commend our party’s National Executive Committee for putting our party and our country first in its deliberations and decision-making process.
“I thank all those who assisted my campaign in a variety of ways to enable me to crisscross this vast country and make my case for our delegates and other party elders and members.
“To all those who volunteer their time to help with organizing the convention, as well as the security personnel and agencies who ensured that the event was successful, I say thank you very much indeed.”
