The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed optimism of winning the presidential election conducted on Saturday.
The former Vice President confirmed that the initial indications from the party’s Simultaneous Vote Count indicates victory for the main opposition party.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Atiku’s Special Assistant On Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, he thanked Nigerians for turning out en masse to vote for him.
“With strong shares of vote in South South, South East as well as an increased share in SW and NC we are very pleased with the progress the PDP has made. We look forward to sharing some exciting news in other parts of the country very soon, which will confound all the armchair pundits.
“The people of Nigeria can take solace that very soon the living Nightmare of the last four years will come to an end so that together we will get Nigeria working again,” Shaibu said.
The PDP Presidential candidate urged Nigerians on the need to maximise their eternal vigilance in the next 48 hours to prevent the majority votes recorded at the polling units being disrupted by force by the APC at the collation centres.
“I am familiar with how brazen and the complete lack of shame the APC can exhibit, but even I was shocked to witness just how low they went last night by accusing the PDP of ‘recruiting armed thugs’ to do just that. Why would we want to do that when we are winning?
“Furthermore I would like to say how proud I was of PDP supporters who conducted themselves so peacefully despite the significant provocations and threats of violence, removal and burning of ballot boxes and the likes,” the statement added.
BusinessDay reports that while Atiku lost his own Polling Unit in Adamawa State to his main challenger and APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, he, however, rebounded quickly from the loss as he defeated Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
National collation is expected to commence by 6pm on Sunday.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
