AFTER his defeat at the special national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Abuja, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, says he has not given up on his resolve to rule Nigeria.
In his first formal reaction yesterday to the outcome of the primaries, which Jonathan won with 2,736 votes to his 805 votes, Atiku told his supporters nationwide to be calm, adding that he had started consultations on the outcome of the party's election.
In a statement issued by the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and signed by Paul Ibe of the Media Committee, Atiku said he remains committed to the rule of law and democratic process.
This comment is seen by political analysts as a possible recourse to judiciary to make a full pronunciation on the controversial zoning arrangement in the PDP, which Atiku had accused the President of breaching in participating in the primaries.
It is also speculated that Atiku may approach the court to seek redress over the alleged flaws, he said characterized the primaries.
The Turakin Adamawa said he would make his final position on his presidential dream after the conclusion of consultation with his political allies across the country.
The campaign team said Atiku is committed to entrenching democratic governance, rule of law and democratic process.
The Organisation said part of his consultations would include briefing by his agents, who declined to sign the final results on account of lapses observed during the primaries.
According to the statement, the outcome of these consultations will determine the next line of action of the former Vice President.
While thanking his supporters for their loyalty, Atiku said he is not done with his ambition yet.
"Atiku, however, thanked the PDP for the platform it has provided for the contest, delegates, supporters, campaign staff and well wishers for their support so far.
"The Atiku Campaign Organisation assured all of them that the former Vice President still has a lot to offer and that this is not the time to write him off, " Ibe said.
Meanwhile, Senate President David Mark, has said the election of Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo as the PDP flag bearers for the April 2011 polls reflects the thinking and wishes of Nigerians.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mummeh, in Abuja yesterday, Mark said he was "pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming endorsement of Jonathan/Sambo and the investment on the PDP candidates would not be misplaced.
"The Senate President had in the take off of the campaigns hinted that Jonathan/Sambo is the best option for the nation and the outcome of yesterday's (Thursday) presidential primary election has vindicated him.''
He expressed optimism that the |roadmap for economic recovery, aggressive programme for youth employment, power generation and distribution as well as wealth creation outlined in the Jonathan/Sambo programme of action would get the nation out of the woods.''
Abia State Governor Theodore Orji also expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the primaries. Speaking shortly after the results were announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, the governor described Jonathan as indeed the country's consensus choice.
He said the victory was well deserved given the character of the President, whose humility despite his exalted position is legendary.
But, former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and some leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have disagreed over the emergence of Jonathan as the PDP presidential candidate in the April general elections. Balarabe said the opposition would defeat Jonathan in the contest.
Balarabe said Jonathan's choice had further shown that the PDP is not united.
"I am not surprised that Jonathan defeated Atiku. You can see what money power can do. And we were reliably told that money was used throughout the primaries in most of the political parties. Money was freely used in the case of the PDP; and in the case of the Presidency, incumbency power was also used. We learnt that delegates were intimidated and that if the incumbent President lost in any of the states, the governor will be held responsible."
Also, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani said: "The conduct at the PDP primaries appeared transparent, but whether the delegates had freedom to vote according to their conscience in such manner that the outcomes would reflect the judgment of their constituencies is what one cannot say yet."
Sani stressed that when all facts are known from those at the primaries, the forum as the mouthpiece of the North will declare its position
Jonathan's victory has elicited celebration among politicians in Anambra State.
A senatorial candidate of the PDP for Anambra Central, Chief Annie Okonkwo, said it is good for the stability of the nation's democracy.
Mrs. Ngozi Nwanmuo, a leader of the PDP in Awka South, described Jonathan as a man of destiny, chosen by God at this time to lead Nigeria out of the woods.
The South-South Parliamentary Caucus of the House of Representatives says the transformation of Nigeria has commenced with the emergence of Jonathan as the PDP flag bearer for the general election.
Chairman of the caucus, Andrew Uchendu told The Guardian in Port Harcourt that members of the PDP have spoken their minds. "The Niger Delta issue has been albatross on the neck of every administration. I expect him to address it holistically and finally this issue of infrastructural development in the Niger Delta," he said.
On his part, former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko, has urged Atiku and other aggrieved party members to work with President Jonathan, who he described as accommodating and willing to work with anyone.
Okoko, who expressed delight over the President's victory, said he had been confident that he was going to emerge victorious because of his wide acceptability across the country.
I'm Not Done With My Ambition Yet, Says Atiku (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35533:im-not-done-with-my-ambition-yet-says-atiku&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)