The outcome of the national convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where the convention voted to ratify the adoption of Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP presidential candidate ahead of 2015 elections and the official announcement of former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, as flagbearer of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 presidential election, has yet indicated that the duo will lock horns again in the February 2015 presidential election.
Recall that prior to the PDP convention which was attended by over 3,000 delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, various organs of the ruling party had adopted Jonathan as PDP’s sole candidate.
Jonathan, in his speech thanked party members for believing in him, assuring that all aggrieved members would be reconciled on the road to the general elections.
Meanwhile, APC’s presidential primary is held in Lagos State, where Buhari clinched 3,430 votes to trounce his four opponents to emerge the 2015 presidential candidate of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president, got 954 votes to come third behind Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who scored 974 votes. The other contenders, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah got 624 votes and 10 votes respectively.
In his acceptance speech, winner of the presidential primaries, Buhari said: “The outcome of the presidential primaries is a demonstration of democracy at work. It is with deep sense of humility that I accept to be the candidate and flag-bearer of the APC. I stand before you and ask that you join me to bring about the needed change for this country. It is either we advance as one or we fail together.”
With the development, there will be a repeat contest between General Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan, who is flying the flag of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 2015 election.
In the 2011 presidential polls, Jonathan polled 22.5 million votes to beat Buhari who garnered 12.2 million votes.
Buhari and Jonathan
It’s now official. Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) is the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate for the February 2015 election.
He defeated four other APC aspirants –Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rochas Okorocha and Sam Nda-Isaiah – to clinch the party’s ticket at a national convention/primary that started on Wednesday in Lagos and ended about 7pm on Thursday.
Buhari’s victory sets him yet again as the number one challenger to President Goodluck Jonathan, who on Wednesday was formally handed the Peoples Democratic Party flag for the 2015 election.
Buhari, who was born on December 17, 1942, was Jonathan’s main opponent in the 2011 presidential poll. He first had a shot at the Presidency in 2003 against Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2007, he ran against Umaru Yar’Adua(now late).
However, the National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has welcomed the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the Presidential candidate of the APC.
In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP urged the APC presidential candidate to be issue- based in his campaigns, adding, “We hope that this time round, General Buhari will conduct a campaign that is issue based and devoid of ethno-religious sentiments.”
Metuh said, “This will be the fourth time General Buhari will be contesting in the presidential elections. On each of the three previous occasions, he failed to articulate a vision of the future that was acceptable to Nigerians. On each occasion his brand of politics was rejected across Nigeria. Apart from changing to a dinner suit, General Buhari, has not changed the tired ideas and provocative utterances that Nigerians rejected in previous elections.”
