*Polls 3,430 votes to defeat Kwankwaso, Atiku others

*I’ll rally round Buhari–Atiku

Former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari has won the presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He polled 3,430 votes to get the ticket.

His votes outnumbered those of Kano State Governor, Dr Rabiu Kwankwanso and Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who got 974 and 954 votes respectively.

Sam Nda-Isaiah scored 10 votes.

This is also the case with the three other contestants of the party’s presidential ticket whose votes were deciphered to be slim during the sorting of the thumb-printed ballot papers.

Other contenders are Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha and the Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

But Buhari is yet to be officially declared the winner of the exercise by the organizers of the election as counting of votes of continues.

The implication of this victory is that the former Head of State would square up again with President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 presidential election scheduled to hold on February 14, 2015.

This would be the second time in a row both political gladiators are meeting at the polls.

The first time was in 2011 when Buhari ran on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.

But he was defeated by Jonathan despite polling about 12 million votes.

At the formation of APC which was an offshoot of defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Buhari’s CPC, the former soldier declared his interest to run again for the highest political office in the land.

This saw him contesting for the APC’s presidential ticket with four others in the party.

Meanwhile, Buhari’s victory has sparked off jubilations among his numerous supporters at the Lagos State owned Teslim Balogun Stadium, venue of the presidential primaries.

Atiku congratulates Buhari

Former Vice President has congratulated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for emerging victorious in the keenly contested presidential primary election of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku, in a concession statement by his media office said that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari ran a spirited campaign, and that since the delegates have spoken, he fully deserves the victory.

The statement reads: “I am very confident that you will provide the needed leadership to turn this country around. I have no doubt that you will work with dedicated and qualified Nigerians to protect our citizens, improve our economy, create jobs, improve education, reform governance and fight corruption. You will indeed bring the change Nigerians have been yearning for. Once more, congratulations.

“I congratulate the other contestants, namely Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Rochas Okorocha as well as the erudite Sam Nda-Isaiah. You have all demonstrated your commitment to democracy by participating in this transparent process and by campaigning vigorously across this country.

“I thank our delegates for their sacrifices and their commitment to democracy. In particular, I thank those who voted for me for your faith in me. However, since we came up short, we have to now rally behind General Buhari to help him prevail in the coming Presidential election.

“The APC has demonstrated, through the transparent process, the Party’s commitment to democracy and rule of law. It has demonstrated its respect for people and their choice through the ballot box.

“I sincerely thank the Convention Committee for putting together a hitch-free convention.

“My dear friends, we have voted, a winner has emerged. I pledge my commitment to this Party, and to campaign vigorously for our candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates to ensure victory in the 2015 elections.

“I call on all other contestants and our party’s rank and file to unite behind our candidates at all levels to ensure that the PDP is defeated, so Nigerians can have real change.

“I will hand over to Gen. Buhari for his review and possible implementation my policy document which was developed in line with the party’s philosophy.