Jonathan Defeats Atiku, Emerges PDP Flagbearer …Atiku Loses In Adamawa

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo waving to their supporters; Insert (Above), President Jonathan casting his vote during the presidential primaries, Insert (below) Jonathan in a handshake with a presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at the Eagles Square, venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries held in Abuja, yesterday.

President Goodluck Jonathan early morning today emerged the presidential flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s presidential primary held in Abuja.

President Jonathan defeated his closest rival and former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, with 2629 from 36 states and the federal Capital Territory, while Atiku had 686 votes and another aspirant Mrs Sarah Jubril had just two votes.

While Jonathan was leading in 31 states, Atiku took the lead in five states. Jonathan won in Abia, Adamawa, Bayelsa and Bauchi states. He also defeated Atiku in Rivers, Taraba, Yobe, Lagos, Jigawa and the FCT. Other states where the president succeeded are Nasarawa, Osun, Benue, Ondo, Gombe, Borno, Imo, Cross River, Edo, Ebonyi, Kwara and Enugu,

He however lost to Atiku in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Kebbi and Niger states. Very surprisingly, Atiku lost in his home state, Adamawa, scoring just 31 votes from a total of 110 votes cast while President Jonathan clinched the rest 76 votes.

Meanwhile, the PDP convention which lasted from Thursday till dawn on Friday witnessed a hitch-free primary election amidst tight security at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

(See chart for detail of how the delegates voted state by state.)