Eminent Nigerians applaud ex-VP over victory

The social media yesterday went agog following the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Eminent Nigerians, especially members of the opposition have continued to congratulate him for clinching the party’s ticket to contest against President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s presidential election.

Senate President Bukola Saraki in his verified twitter handle @bukolasaraki said: “We always knew that only one candidate would emerge. On behalf of all the aspirants, I want to assure Atiku Abubakar that we will work with him to ensure that come 2019, he emerges as Nigeria’s next President.

“I congratulate our presidential candidate, Atiku for your victory. You have stayed on course over the years and truly, you deserve this victory.”

Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, noted that the task ahead is to unite with other aspirants to work towards the success of the party in the 2019 elections.

He said: “Congratulations to Atiku on his emergence as the official PDP presidential candidate. I am hopeful that come February 2019, PDP will lead Nigeria to the transformation that we so dearly desire as citizens of this great country.”

Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, assured that they would support Atiku for the party’s victory in 2019.

He said: “Congratulations to Atiku on his emergence as the flag bearer of our great party. We are united under one umbrella and we will work assiduously for our party’s victory in 2019.”

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike said, “I want to congratulate Atiku for emerging victorious in the PDP Convention. You have not missed an opportunity to prove how much of a unifier you are. The Rivers State government and its entire people shall throw our weight behind you.”

Festus Keyamo said, “We welcome Atiku Abubakar to the 2019 campaign trail. Nigerians would now decide between a candidate with a history full of credibility crises, damning reports of corruption home, abroad and another candidate with an unblemished record in public service.”

Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, while congratulating Atiku, however called on President Buhari’s wife to defect to the PDP.