LIVE: Atiku Emerges PDP 2023 Presidential Flagbearer

A file photo of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

 

This was a live update page for the PDP National Convention.


 

And that’s it for tonight. Thank you for staying with us.


22:40 – The results are in. Atiku Abubakar scored the highest number of votes. He is the PDP’s flagbearer for the 2023 presidential election.

Atiku Abubakar – 371

Nyesom Wike – 237

Bukola Saraki – 70

Udom Emmanuel – 38

Bala Mohammed – 20

Anyim Pius Anyim – 14

Mrs Tari Diana Oliver- 1

Sam Ohuabunwa – 1


22:22: Sorting of the votes has commenced.


20:35: Aminu Tambuwal steps down for Atiku Abubakar!


20:27 – Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, lists the number of delegates per state.


20:10 – After the candidates’ pitches, voting is set to commence.


20:02 – Presidential aspirant Nyesom Wike addresses the delegates.


20:00 – Presidential aspirant Charlie Ugwu addresses the delegates.


19:54 – Presidential aspirant Aminu Tambuwal addresses the delegates.


19:50 – Presidential aspirant Bukola Saraki addresses the delegates.


19:45 – The only female presidential aspirant in the race, Tari Diana Oliver, addresses the delegates.


19:40 – Presidential aspirant Sam Ohuabunwa addresses the delegates.


19:36 – Presidential aspirant Dele Momodu addresses the delegates.


19:30 – Presidential aspirant Bala Mohammed addresses the delegates.


19:28 – Presidential aspirant Chikwendu Kalu addresses the delegates.


19:23 – Presidential aspirant, Ayodele Fayose, is now addressing the delegates.


19:18 – Presidential aspirant Udom Emmanuel is now addressing the delegates.


19:13 – Presidential aspirant Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim addresses the delegates.


19:05 – Presidential aspirant, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, addresses the delegates.


18:57 – Presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar addresses the delegates.


18:41 – PDP National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, delivers his remarks.


18:30 – National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, delivers his remarks.

He formally declares the convention open.


18: 24 – Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jibrin, delivers his remarks.


18:17 – Chairman of the National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC), Senator David Mark, delivers his remarks.






16:55 – Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri tells Channels Television that Mohammed Hayatu-Deen has stepped down for Atiku Abubakar in the race for the party’s presidential ticket.

Hayatu-Deen announced earlier that he was exiting the race but did not say he was supporting any particular candidate.




15:30 – PDP Chieftain Bode George admits the party has been rocked with a number of crises.

“But our ability to rise above these crises will be a measure of our competence,” he said.

PDP Chieftain, Bode George, spoke to Channels Television on the sidelines of the PDP National Convention on May 28, 2022. Taiwo Adeshina/Channels Television
PDP Chieftain, Bode George, spoke to Channels Television on the sidelines of the PDP National Convention on May 28, 2022. Taiwo Adeshina/Channels Television


 


 



13:47 – The PDP has rejected speculations that it has postponed its National Convention.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP states in very clear terms that is has not postponed its 2022 Special National Convention,” a statement signed by spokesperson Debo Ologunagba said.

“The 2022 Special National Convention of the PDP is on course as scheduled today, Saturday May 28, 2022 and there is no contemplation whatsoever for postponement.”


More than 10 aspirants are vying for the presidential ticket of the PDP in today’s National Convention.

They include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Read their profiles here.

Meet the candidates contesting for the PDP presidential candidate

Our correspondent, Linda Akhigbe, who is live at the convention venue in Abuja, gives a live update on proceedings so far.


We earlier reported that one of the PDP presidential aspirants, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has stepped down from the race.

He described the primary election contest as “obscenely monetised.”

A file photo of Mr Mohammed Hayatu-Deen .

 



All appears set for the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Convention at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, where the party is expected to elect its presidential candidate.

On Friday the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) extended the deadline for political parties to conduct their primaries for the 2023 general elections by six days, prompting the ruling All Progressives Congress to postpone its own primaries, earlier scheduled for Sunday, to June 6.

However, despite INEC’s shifting stance (which the PDP has criticised) and the APC postponement, it appears the PDP convention will go on as planned.

On Friday, the Chairman of the PDP’s National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC), Senator David Mark, said virtually all its delegates have arrived Abuja and that the party was ready for the exercise.