Buhari picks APC presidential ticket

Former head of state Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) has emerged the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer, the ongoing counting of ballots at the party’s national convention holding in Lagos has shown. Buhari scored a total of 3, 430 votes to clinch the ticket out of the 7, 214 votes cast. Kano state governor […]

Former head of state Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) has emerged the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer, the ongoing counting of ballots at the party’s national convention holding in Lagos has shown.

Buhari scored a total of 3, 430 votes to clinch the ticket out of the 7, 214 votes cast.

Kano state governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso scored some 500 votes.

His perceived closest rival former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s votes had been counted where he scored a total vote of 954.

Leadership newspaper publisher Sam Nda-Isaiah scored 10 votes.

 

 

Earlier…

 

Former Vice President,  Atiku has recorded 954 votes in the ongoing counting of the All Progressives Congress’ Presidential Primary votes in Lagos.

 

 The counting being televised live has now shifted to  votes of  former Head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari.

 

 Earlier…

 

 

Counting of votes has begun at the ongoing national convention of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos.

Our correspondents report that former head of state Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is still in the lead.

Buhari who seems to be garnering all the votes is closely followed by Kano state governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and then Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha in distant fourth position. 

 

Leadership newspaper publisher Sam Nda Isaiah has record only a single vote so far.

 

Delegates from the last state to vote Zamfara cast their ballot early Thursday in the all night exercise.

 

A total of 7, 214 accredited delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT voted in favour of five APC presidential aspirants. The aspirants include Muhammadu Buhari, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Atiku Abubakar, Rochas Okorocha and Sam Nda-Isaiah. 

 

Delegates started the voting process at around 2am Thursday and the process took seven hours to end before counting started.

 

Shortly before voting started, the five aspirants had taken turns to address the delegates. Below is the summary of their speeches. 

 

Rochas Okorocha

 

“I am very happy to be part of this history making event. We are the last hope of Nigeria and today we must get it right. I offer myself to offer service as the president of Nigeria. Political power can only be justified when use for the good of the common man. My people! My people! When I say to Nigerians, I will make education free; Nigerians will believe me, because I have done it before. I am a child of poor parentage; I hate poverty and what it brings.”

 

  Sam Nda Isaiah

 

“I’m the only one with a clear plan. I’m the only one that has come with big ideas. That’s why I believe I’m the best. This country is too divided. And there is no country that is as divided as this country that can make progress. That’s why I want to come with big ideas.  Any leader that cannot secure its people has lost its right to lead. I’m going to achieve it as the person who takes the job of the commander-in-chief seriously. In this country, we still have soldiers who I believe are the best in the world. If they are well armed, Boko Haram would not be a match for them.”

 

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

 

“We have done it in Kano and I see no reason why we cannot do it at the centre. We will work hard to ensure peaceful co-existence and stop our citizens from becoming refugees in their own country and neighbouring nations. Delegates should support the right candidate and I believe the right candidate is Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.” 

 

Atiku Abubakar

 

“What I will give you is my commitment, and service. For the past six years, Nigeria has moved backward. We are a nation afflicted by endless crisis. PDP cannot save us. It is now time for change. PDP government may say it needs more time and continuity, but what we need is change. To solve Nigeria’s problems, we need leadership with integrity and strength. The next leader should not just mouth change but live it. I own no foreign account or companies benefitting from government contracts. I am what you see before you; a simple man who believe in serving Nigeria and God.” 

 

 Muhammadu Buhari

 

“You came here because you believe in change. You believe that our hopes and dreams can become a reality. You believe that our great country can set a standard for all of Africa to see. Change for a better Nigeria and Nigeria for all as the candidate of our great party in 2015. Today we would demonstrate that every vote counts. The APC is offering something we have never had in a long time. We would have the chance to replace a party with a party that knows what to do.   A party that understands that education should not only be accessible but delivers what it takes. The nominee you are about to elect must be a person trusted by all across all ethnic groups in the country.”