
By Cecilia Ijuo, Abiemwense Moru, Nathan Nwakamma
Oct. 7, 2018
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) presidential primary election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Ekweremadu made this known in a congratulatory message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity on Sunday.
He also congratulated the other aspirants and the PDP on what he described as “crucial and rancor-free”, election, noting that the process was more important than everything else as all the aspirants were eminently qualified to lead the nation.
The Deputy Senate President said the election, which produced the former Vice President as the winner with 1,532 votes was commendable.
He said: “I join our teeming party faithful and supporters to congratulate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the incoming President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by God’s grace, on his nomination as the standard-bearer of the PDP in the 2019 presidential election.
“This is a watershed and a momentous occasion for the PDP and indeed the nation.
“More important in the race was the transparent, free, fair, credible, and peaceful process.
“I commend the party leadership and the Convention Planning Committee for giving us one of the best primary elections in Nigeria’s history.
“Our party has, by this, demonstrated the full revival of internal democracy and total rebranding for the best democratic ethos.
“I commend the aspirants for the maturity, decorum, friendship, and mutual respect that characterised the jostle for the presidential ticket.”
He urged them and the party faithful to continue to work together for the party’s victory in the 2019 general elections.
He said, the mission to rescue Nigeria towers above individual interest and it is one that we cannot afford to fail Nigerians.”
According to him, recent elections, despite the temporary setback occasioned by apparent irregularities suffered by the PDP, were clear pointers that Nigerians had already queued behind the PDP to restore the nation on the part of true democracy and progress.
Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, on Sunday in Abuja, congratulated Atiku Abubakar, on his emergence, pointing out that the task before him was now to unite with other aspirants to work toward the success of the party in the 2019 elections.
He expressed confidence that with proper strategies and consensus, the party would win the 2019 elections.
“Come February 2019, PDP will lead Nigeria to the transformation that we so dearly desire as citizens of this dear country,” he said.
The Speaker commended other aspirants for accepting the outcome of the exercise, stating that their dedicated involvement was the foundation that would lead the party to victory in the presidential elections.
Gov. Seriake Dickson, on Sunday, while congratulating Atiku for his emergence as the party’s flag-bearer in the 2019 presidential election said that the former Vice President of Nigeria has the requisite experience and knowledge to tackle the challenges bedevilling the country.
Dickson also described the primaries that produced Atiku as the freest and best election ever conducted in the history of the country.
“Let me congratulate the former Vice President and now the presidential candidate of our great party for the next presidential election over his resounding victory in a free, fair, transparent and credible primary election.
“The delegates have spoken and they have elected a man who understands our country, the Niger Delta and a man who has the requisite experience.
“He can build bridges of understanding and unity and form a great team to address the challenges that are facing our country.
“We look forward to working, collaborating and supporting him in that onerous responsibility. As he rightly said, it is not a job left for him alone,” Dickson said.
Dickson commended the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), convention planning committee and Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and his team “for their hard work and the good job they have done.”
“I cannot fail to appreciate my brother, Governor Nyesom Wike, the government and people of Rivers State for their hospitality and sacrifices in hosting this historic event.
“Let me also commend our worthy leaders most of whom are my compatriots and friends for offering themselves for service. I thank and appreciate them for their show of sportsmanship and magnanimity,” Dickson said.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike also congratulated Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Governor Wike personally extended his congratulations to the Former Vice President after his election was announced by the chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
The Rivers State Governor who was in company of his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, assured that he will continue to work for the success of the PDP.
Governor Wike thanked all PDP delegates and stakeholders for ensuring a successful and peaceful National Convention in Port Harcourt.
The Former Vice President paid tribute to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his personal commitment to the success of the party.
He also thanked the people of Rivers State for their support for the transparent process.