8.50pm Uche Secondus reads his welcome address, surrounded by party chieftains, including the chairman of the convention committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State,.
Mr Secondus said the convention is a step towards the party’s march to regaining power.
He said the convention will be organised in most orderly and credible manner. He said the APC has shown that it lacks the wherewithal to manage this country.
The national chairman faulted the corruption fight of the APC He said under the APC administration corruption has become monumental. He said Nigeria has never been divided as it is today. He said the economy has been stagnated under the administration.
Mr Secondus said PDP has helped entrenched democracy in Nigeria since it took over power from the military in 1999.
He said the reform of the electoral process by the PDP led to the defeat of the PDP by the APC in the 2015 presidential election
Mr Secondus lambasted the APC over the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. He said on Friday he led a protest to INEC and police headquarters over the Osun election. He assured Ekiti and Osun States that PDP is not a violent party and that it will use legitimate means to recover its mandate in the two states.
He asked the delegates to note that the choice they make will go a long way in rescuing the nation from the APC.
He told the aspirants that the primary will be conducted in the most transparent manner. “The whole world is watching us and we must deliver.” he said.
He said, “President Buhari. it is time to go home. Let’s take back our nation.”
The Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, delivers his address.
Mr Okowa said a lot of people will be wondering why we are starting late. he said most of our delegates had to travel by road. Glad that the delegates have finally arrived. He thanked God for journey mercies. He thanked God for the confidence reposed in the committee. He said the committee has bee able to put up a process that they are all proud of. he said the committee had finished accreditation and that the process will be free ,fair, transparent and credible. He said they are proud of he various organs of the party as well as the aspirants. he welcome the delegates to the convention. “We will do what is necessary to ensure that the process is credible as earlier stated.”
The National Secretary of the PDP gives report.. He welcome the delegates. At the end of the exercise the party will have a presidential candidate who will save Nigeria.
The national secretary, Senator Ibrahim Umar Tsauri thanked the party’s governors for standing by the party. He said PDP remains the hope of Nigeria and Nigerians. He end his address..
A former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, is addressing the convention.
Mr Wabara said PDP has waited for four years for this moment. He said he speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees He said the ear of impunity and imposition is gone in the party. He said the 12 aspirants are all qualified. He said all the aspirants visited the Board of Trustees. He appealed to them to know that power comes from God and that at the end of the day, the 11 aspirants who will not emerge will rally round the winner. He praised from the convention committee chairman, Ifeanyi Okowa for the wonderful job he has been doing..
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is about to address the convention.
Mr Ekweremadu is not available. Now the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has been called upon to address the convention. Mr Dogara is also the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee of the convention.
Mr Dogara said said he bring the delegates greetings from the National Assembly. He reminded the delegates of the importance of the event. He said the problem of Nigeria is leadership, not the challenge of infrastructure and the blood letting in some parts of the country. He said “we are living in a country with decay infrastructure.” He said if there is right leadership education and others will not be a problem. He said with the right leadership Nigeria will not only be the pride of the black man but the entire world. The Speaker said the convention should not joke with today’s event in order to pick the right person from the group of “eminently qualified” aspirants’
“Today is the beginning of this great journey.”
9.55pm The MC welcomes Senator Ademola Adeleke to the convention.
The presidential aspirants are going to speak for three minutes and will do so in alphabetical order, using their surnames,
The MC read out the names of the aspirants. Atiku Abubakar about to address the delegates.
Atiku says delegates have the most important decision to make tonight. He said 2019 elections is going to be the most significant in the history of Nigeria.
Another aspirant, Attahiru Bafarawa, is addressing the convention. He said he joined politics in 1976, He said he knows the game of politics He served as governor for eight years.
Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, is currently addressing the convention.
PDP Presidential Primaries: Datti-Ahmed Speaks (LIVE UPDATE7.23 pm Nigerian music star, Davido, is performing. Many people are leaving their seats and moving towards the stage to watch him perform.
8.21pm The National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, arrives convention venue.
8.39 pm Convention begins with the national anthem followed by Muslim and Christian opening prayers.
8.50pm Ucge Secondus reads his welcome address, surrounded by party chieftains, including the chairman of the convention committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State,.
Mr Secondus said the convention is a step towards the party’s march to regaining power.
He said the convention will be organised in most orderly and credible manner..
he said the APC has shown that it lacks the wherewithal to manage this country.
The national chairman faulted the corruption fight of the APC He said under the APC administration corruption has become monumental. He said Nigeria has never been divided as it is today. He said the economy has been stagnated under the administration.
Mr Secondus said PDP has helped entrenched democracy in Nigeria since it took over power from the military in 1999.
He said the reform of the electoral process by the PDP led to the defeat of the PDP by the APC in the 2015 presidential election
Mr Secondus lambasted the APC over the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. He said on Friday he led a protest to INEC and police headquarters over the Osun election. He assured Ekiti and Osun States that PDP is not a violent party and that it will use legitimate means to recover its mandate in the two states.
He asked the delegates to note that the choice they make will go a long way in rescuing the nation from the APC.
He told the aspirants that the primary will be conducted in the most transparent manner. “The whole world is watching us and we must deliver.” he said.
He said, “President Buhari. it is time to go home. Let’s take back our nation.”
The Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, delivers his address.
Mr Okowa said a lot of people will be wondering why we are starting late. he said most of our delegates had to travel by road. Glad that the delegates have finally arrived. He thanked God for journey mercies. He thanked God for the confidence reposed in the committee. He said the committee has bee able to put up a process that they are all proud of. he said the committee had finished accreditation and that the process will be free ,fair, transparent and credible. He said they are proud of he various organs of the party as well as the aspirants. he welcome the delegates to the convention. “We will do what is necessary to ensure that the process is credible as earlier stated.”
The National Secretary of the PDP gives report.. He welcome the delegates. At the end of the exercise the party will have a presidential candidate who will save Nigeria.
The national secretary, Senator Ibrahim Umar Tsauri thanked the party’s governors for standing by the party. He said PDP remains the hope of Nigeria and Nigerians. He end his address..
A former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, is addressing the convention.
Mr Wabara said PDP has waited for four years for this moment. He said he speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees He said the ear of impunity and imposition is gone in the party. He said the 12 aspirants are all qualified. He said all the aspirants visited the Board of Trustees. He appealed to them to know that power comes from God and that at the end of the day, the 11 aspirants who will not emerge will rally round the winner. He praised from the convention committee chairman, Ifeanyi Okowa for the wonderful job he has been doing..
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is about to address the convention.
Mr Ekweremadu is not available. Now the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has been called upon to address the convention. Mr Dogara is also the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee of the convention.
Mr Dogara said said he bring the delegates greetings from the National Assembly. He reminded the delegates of the importance of the event. He said the problem of Nigeria is leadership, not the challenge of infrastructure and the blood letting in some parts of the country. He said “we are living in a country with decay infrastructure.” He said if there is right leadership education and others will not be a problem. He said with the right leadership Nigeria will not only be the pride of the black man but the entire world. The Speaker said the convention should not joke with today’s event in order to pick the right person from the group of “eminently qualified” aspirants’
“Today is the beginning of this great journey.”
9.55pm The MC welcomes Senator Ademola Adeleke to the convention.
The presidential aspirants are going to speak for three minutes and will do so in alphabetical order, using their surnames,
The MC read out the names of the aspirants. Atiku Abubakar about to address the delegates.
Atiku says delegates have the most important decision to make tonight. He said 2019 elections is going to be the most significant in the history of Nigeria.
Another aspirant, Attahiru Bafarawa, is addressing the convention. He said he joined politics in 1976, He said he knows the game of politics He served as governor for eight years.
Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, is currently addressing the convention.
Mr Dankwambo reeled out his credentials. He said when others ran away from the party in 2014, “I stayed and ran for an election under the party and won. At the age of 56 today, I’m not too young to run and not too old to retire. If the people of our party find me worthy to fly the party’s ticket, I will accept. However, if they find someone else I am ready to accept.”
Datti-Ahmed is currently addressing the convention.
He said “the choice you are about to make here will make the difference between war and peace, unity and disunity, progress and retrogression. In me you will find the widest gap between PDP and the nearest runner up.”
Another aspirant. A former governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang is now addressing the convention.
“As a military officer, I participated in the civil war to keep Nigeria one.
Many left the PDP and returned, I have stayed to restore the party to what it is today. I cannot stay in the background and watch opportunities given to returnees.
The ticket should be given to one of us who stayed in the party
I am here to make the change and change the change
I will push for restructuring, in fact you can call me Mr. Restructuring – Jang
Mr Jang says he stood with other pro-democracy elements to fight for democracy in Nigeria during the military era.
Kwankwaso is now on the podium to address the convention.
He began by apologising to the former administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Any day you want to give an award in Nigeria, give it to Buhari because he has made PDP the strongest political party.
“I will like to apologize to the former administration that we thought was the worst government. Today we know better
“Try as much as possible to vote for a candidate that will ensure the success of our party- Kwankwaso
“I want to assure Nigerians that I will do appropriate restructuring to ensure that the economy improves,” Kwankwaso says.
Sule Lamido takes the podium
Speaking, one of the aspirants, former Governor of Jigawa state Sule Lamido said “We have been able to re-arranged and re-brand the PDP to make it a wonderful damsel.”
He said delegates should vote their conscience. “If you do the wrong thing, we are in trouble,” Lamido says.
Former Governor of Kaduna state, Ahmed Makarfi while addressing the delegates says he is glad the PDP is alive and kicking.
He also says he won’t leave the party even if he fails to win the primary.
“I will remain in the party, I will remain loyal and committed to the party,” he said
Now on the podium is former Senate President David Mark.
“I’m the only one amongst the aspirants who have apointed a female as a campaign DG, that’ shows I am gender friendly – David Mark
Senate President Bukola Saraki now on the podium.
“I have the courage, I have the honour to keep the promise I have made,” Mr Mark said, promising not to leave the party if he fails to win the primary.
Mr Saraki says he stands humbled and determined as he look at the faces of the delegates.
Mr Saraki says Nigerians are now more divided, but that poverty does not discriminate.
We cannot vote based on sentiments, we must vote based on competence
If you are looking for a 21st century leader, you will vote for me in the next few hours – -Saraki
Speaking now is the Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal. He is one of the aspirants.
Mr Tambuwal says having been a federal lawmaker and a state governor, he has the required experience to run Nigeria.
He promise to promote science and technology, and use it to fight insecurity and crime in Nigeria, if elected president.
He also promised to focus attention on agriculture.
Mr Tambuwal, like most other aspirants, promise to support whoever emerges as PDP candidate if he fails to win the primary.
Aminu Tambuwal as he leaves the podium after addressing the convention
Now on the Podium is former Minister for Special Duties and one of the aspirants, Tanimu Turaki
Mr Turaki says Nigeria has been plagued by insecurity, decayed infrastructure and hardship.
He says all the 12 presidential aspirants are qualified to be elected as the party’s candidate and that he is the most honest and credible of all the aspirants.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is now addressing the convention. Mr Jonathan gets an ovation as he was introduced.
Mr Jonathan says all the aspirants are qualified to be the party’s candidate.
He said the delegates must elect one person who would unite Nigeria.
He also says he is glad to hear the aspirants pledge to remain in the PDP and help the party win the 2019 presidential election even if they fail to win the primary.
With speeches over. The voting process is about to commence. The electoral committee, accompanied by agents of the aspirants, is going around the delegates’ stands to do final verification.
Voting is going to be by open-secret. No voting by proxy. Phone not allowed into the cubicle that will be used for the voting. No two delegates will be allowed to enter one cubicle together, the convention organizers tell delegates.
Chairman of the convention committee, Governor Okowa is currently explaining voting procedures to the delegates.
He appeals to them to cooperate with the orgarnisers for a free and transparent voting.
Mr Okowa, informed the convention that after his committee took delivery of the ballot papers, they went a step further to put a seal on each of the papers to forestall a situation where ballot papers are smuggled in from outside.
“Any ballot paper without our seal on it will not be counted as a valid vote,” he said.
When voting is over, sorting and counting will commence in the presence of aspirants and their agents.
Delegates will watch from a distance and ensure everything is transparent
Seal is on every ballot paper so that no delegate is able to bring another ballot paper in.
Voting will be in two groups
Group A
Abia, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River,Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Ekiti, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Imo states.
GROUP B
Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun,Oyo,Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara states.
FCT will vote alone
Some of the rules:
No phones at the voting cubicle
Two states will be called at a time.
The left cubicle are for the delegates on the left, while the right are for the delegates at the right.
The number of accredited voters will be confirmed with the results
No two delegates can approach one cubicle at the same time, else they will be disqualified
Ballot papers will be given out per delegate.
Delegates are to use their thumb to press on the ink load and vote alone in the cubicle provided.
At the end of that process, the next two states will be called upon.
Voting has finally began.
Jigawa and Abia states are voting concurrently. Henceforth, it will be two states at a time.
The next states to vote are Adamawa with 76 delegates and Katsina with 100 delegates
Now voting are delegates from Akwa-Ibom State. They are made up of 151 delegates.
Voting shortly after Akwa-Ibom are delegates from Kebbi State. They are made up of 66 delegates.
Kogi state delegates now voting. They have a total of 94 accredited delegates.
Kogi is closely followed by Anambra which has a total number of 54 accredited delegates.
Bauchi State with 76 accredited delegates are now voting. They will be voting concurrently with Kwara state which has a total of 102 accredited delegates.
Bayelsa with 74 delegates are now voting together with Lagos with 64 accredited delegates.
Benue State with 121 accredited delegates are now voting. Nasarawa State is voting alongside with 62 accredited delegates.
Borno state with a total of 57 accredited voters are now voting.
Niger State and Cross River state are voting concurrently. They both have a total of 83 and 94 accredited voters respectively.
Delta state with a total of 150 accredited delegates are now voting. They will be followed by Ogun with 21 delegates.
Ondo state has 64 accredited delegates and are about casting their votes
Ebonyi state has 101 accredited delegates and are currently voting. Osun has 89. Voting in a short while
79 accredited delegates from Edo state are now voting. Oyo state accredited delegates are 88 also voting.
Enugu has a total number of 136 accredited delegates who are currently voting. Plateau state delegates with a total number of 76 are also voting.
So, as of 4:55am, only 12 states were yet to cast their votes.
Oyo state is voting
Edo state takes its turn
109 Ekiti delegates as well as the host state, Rivers with 131 delegates are now voting
Wike displays ballot paper, votes Tambuwal
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has shown to the world that he voted Sokoto State Governor and Presidential aspirant, Aminu Tambuwal.
Prior to the convention, he was believed to be backing Tambuwal for the party ticket.
Apart from Wike, 90 percent of the rRivers state delegates also displayed their ballot papers, apparently to show the world where they belong.
Voting is ongoing,
129 accredited voters from Kano are now casting their votes
93 accredited voters from Taraba are now voting. 104 Imo delegates are also voting concurrently
Voting almost concluded as delegates from Zamfara state and the FCT are now casting their votes. Sorting of the ballot papers will soon start
Voting ends. “We have just completed the process of voting. We thank all our delegates. Now we are going to proceed to the process of sorting. – Okowa
