SAN FRANCISCO, October 07, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has emerged as Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2019 general election.
In the same vein, Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, has emerged the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
Duke polled 812 votes to defeat his close rival, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, who polled 611 votes at the party’s National Convention held at Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
The Convention Returning Officer, Dr Abdul Isiaq, declaring the results of the presidential primary election at the early hour of Sunday, said John Dara, former Special Assistant to Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, former Defence Minister, scored 104 votes.
He also announced that former Ambassador and former Minister, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher polled 72 votes; former Ambassador, Felix Osakwe scored 10 votes, while the number of invalid votes was 63.
Duke in his acceptance speech, described his emergence as collective victory for all aspirants that participated in the contest, as well for the party and the nation.
He said that primary was just a step in the contest, saying he will go through the nation to campaign and sell the party and it’s polices to citizens.
Duke called for the support of all aspirants, the party officials and Nigerians to win 2019 general election, saying “we will reawaken in Nigerians that yearning that we are destined to be, but we cannot do this alone.”
He said that Nigeria was not a divided nation but a country of common purpose.
“What divides us is inadequacy and wants, because in the face of this survival of the fittest comes in, which ought not to be so because there is more than enough for everyone.”
He said if Nigerians were productive and abide by rules and regulations , the nation would grow from strength to strength.
“This is what good governance is all about and that is what I stand for.”
On his part, Sowore emerged unopposed at the maiden convention of the AAC which held in Lagos on Saturday.
Addressing his supporters after the convention, Sowore called for more support.
“We must work to realise the dream of a new Nigeria, where we would be able to send our children to school and where the black man will be proud of the Nigerian nation. We must say enough is enough. Those who are taking Nigeria into the future are here with us,” he said.
In an interview with TheCable shortly after he declared for presidency, the known activist had listed things he would do differently if elected.
“I have a clear plan and my policy team is now in the process, tweaking detailed implementation plans for every sector of the Nigerian economy that we will soon be shared with Nigerians, he had said.
“Unlike President Buhari who did not elect a cabinet until after six months of taking office, I have begun to bring together a shadow cabinet of experts that are understudying what is going on right now in each sector of the Nigerian nation so that when we are voted in by the Nigerian people, we can truly hit the ground running from day one.
“Nigeria is truly blessed with a solid professional class at home and abroad. We can’t wait to unleash them on a Nigeria that we know is destined for prosperity and prominence.”
He added that he would provide outlines of his vision for the country.
