Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, has appealed to the party chieftains and other stakeholders to help him and PDP win the 2023 presidential election.

He made the appeal on Wednesday while in Abuja while receiving the PDP flag and certificate of return as the party’s presidential candidate from Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP national chairman.

Mr Abubakar, shortly after receiving his certificate of return, said his emergence was a victory for the party and the vast majority of Nigerians.

The former vice president, who described his victory as a collective effort of all, called for the support of all PDP members and Nigerians in next year’s presidential election.

“While I am excited and happy for this opportunity to bear our party’s flag again, let us all remember that what just happened is a contest within a family to decide how to put our best foot forward,” said Mr Abubakar. “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 sympathisers. We must pull everyone together. Nobody should be excluded, I beg of you.”

Mr Abubakar on Saturday emerged as PDP candidate for 2023 presidential election with 371 votes out of 763, defeating his close contender, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, who polled 237 votes. 

“I have already visited some of those who contested against me, as a way to lead in that effort to unify the party,” Mr Abubakar stated. “This is for us to be able to face our real opponents, defeat them in the elections and begin the process of rescuing and rebuilding this country.”

Mr Ayu has urged all former presidential aspirants, party leaders and members to work in unity for the party to win the 2023 general elections and stated that the just-concluded primary was a “small family contest,” where there was no victor and vanquished.

He assured the party faithful that the national working committee would “continue to work tirelessly because you did not elect us to organise a successful convention, you elected us to win the presidency for you.”

He, however, pointed out that Mr Abubakar had yet to win the presidential election, hence the need to work together for the victory of the party in 2023.

“I urge all of you to come together. It does not matter which aspirant you supported, come together and support the party. Support our efforts, support our candidates, the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” explained the PDP chair.

Speaking further, he noted, “You elected us to give you more governors. You elected us to take control of the two houses of the National Assembly. You elected us to win all the houses of assembly across the states.”

Mr Ayu, who expressed optimism that Mr Abubakar would emerge victorious in the February 2023 presidential election, described him as a tested and trusted Nigerians who would reunite the country and rebuild its economy.

He also expressed confidence that Mr Abubakar would tackle insecurity, reinforce the armed forces and give Nigeria the respect it deserves in the international community.

(NAN)