The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday night, insisted that he won the 2023 election.
Atiku said despite what the ruling All Progressives Congress would like Nigerians to believe, he did not lose the presidential election.
The former vice-president spoke while addressing outgoing and incoming Governors elected on the PDP platform at a reception and award ceremony organized by the PDP Governors Forum in Abuja.
The event was held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
Speaking further, Atiku equally advised party members to take stock and unravel the mystery behind how the PDP slipped from being the oldest and dominant political party in 1999 to its present unenviable position.
Atiku said: “Next time, this kind of event can be organized earlier in the day to allow us more time so that all the issues, and challenges, facing the party can be discussed.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the PDP GF who is also the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwual, went down memory lane to recount how the forum began and what it has become.
He expressed confidence that he was leaving behind a United and cohesive body that has become a powerful voice which cannot be ignored in the nation’s body polity.
“It is with pleasure that I warmly welcome you all to this important event, the first of its kind since the PDP Governors’ Forum was inaugurated in 2014. The Forum has existed informally, but on 12th October 2021, we formally registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a separate entity. Over the years the PDP Governors’ Forum has grown into an alternative voice in governance in the country. A voice that can no longer be ignored.”
Tambuwual told the new and returning governors, “On behalf of my colleague Governors in the Forum, I welcome all of them to this event and into the Forum.
“You are the shinning armours of the party going forward. We are happy to bequeath to you, a Forum that is strong, cohesive and vocal in the defence of democracy and good governance in the country.
“With the calibre of Governors’ elect I see here today, I can say confidently that our Forum is going to be in good hands.
“Also, gathered here today are past Governors who served meritoriously as Chairmen of the PDP Governors’ Forum. These men at different times piloted the transformation agenda which we all enjoy at various levels in various states today.
“For my colleagues, out-going Governors of our Forum, I commend all of you for your solidarity and comradeship. As a first among equals, I can vouch to the warm support and friendship of all the Governors of our Party.