Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, has explained why he directed his supporters to vote for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primaries last week.
During the PDP national convention, Tambuwal announced his withdrawal from the presidential race and asked his supporters to back Atiku.
Tambuwal’s decision has been described by political analysts as the twist of the PDP presidential primary as it created the opportunity for Atiku to secure more votes from north-west delegates.
At the end of the exercise, the former vice-president polled 371 votes and was declared the winner, while Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, who was his closest challenger, secured 237 votes.
Commending Tambuwal for the role played, Iyorchia Ayu, PDP national chairman, had described the Sokoto governor as the “hero” of the party’s national convention.
Addressing residents of Sokoto on Friday after his arrival from Abuja, Tambuwal said he stepped down for Atiku for the “good of the party and the country”.
“What we have done is for the good of our party and the country. I appreciate every one of you that prayed for me and our party,” Tambuwal said.
“The sacrifice that I have made on your behalf is aimed at strengthening our party, our democracy, and; by the grace of God, soft landing our polity.
“This is in consonance with the teachings of our leaders and the emulation of the examples they have given to us in the past: that we must continue to make sacrifice for the good of all of us and our country.
“I thank the people of Sokoto state and all my supporters across the country for their support. Rest assured, we shall work assiduously for the victory of our party come 2023 general elections.”