Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP says the party will still win in all the state under its control in next year’s election. The PDP controls 13 out of the 36 states in the country, while the APC controls 22 states.
The only state not under the control of either APC or PDP is Anambra, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA holds sway.
Abubakar, a former vice president who recently won his party’s nomination to contest the 2023 presidential election, is expected to slug it out with winner of the ruling party, APC presidential candidate.
The National Convention of the APC is ongoing in Abuja, the nation’s capital, and a former Lagos state governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu is projected to win against his closest rival, vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Speaking on next year’s election, Atiku said his party will defeat the APC in all PDP controlled states and still win more. He said the ruling party will not get 25 per cent of vote cast during the election. The 1999 Constitution (as amended) requires a presidential candidate to win at least 25 per cent of votes from each of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The PDP presidential candidate spoke on Tuesday while addressing governorship candidates at the party’s national secretariat.
Atiku said the party will work together to ensure that the APC is defeated roundly to clinch power.
According to him, “The question of saying that we are going to give a quarter or so to the ruling party must not arise in this election.
“I want to assure all of you that we will work together as a team and make sure you are all brought back elected as governors in your respective states.
“I will ensure we work together as a team in every state of this country, to enthrone a PDP government”.
Meanwhile, Tinubu a former Lagos governor and APC National Leader has been projected to win the APC presidential ticket after other presidential aspirants stepped down for him at the ongoing APC Special National Convention.
Those that stepped down for the APC chieftain include Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ajayi Borrofice, Uju Ken-Ohanenye, and Dimeji Bankole, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
But Ogbonnaya Onu, the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology had refused to step down for Tinubu, saying it was the turn of the South east to produce the president.
“Everybody in this party knows the role I played in bringing the party to be. Mr President what is important is that we must ensure that justice is upheld. We need someone from the South East to replace him (Buhari).
“The South West had had eight years of presidency and another eight years of vice presidency. Where is the justice for South East? We need to do what is right,” he said.
