Twelve candidates have come together to fight for the rights to face President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election

The PDP has settled for the indirect mode of primaries to pick its candidate.

Among the aspirants hoping to grasp the party’s single ticket are former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; A two-time Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and a former Minister of Education and two-time Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau.

Others are two-time Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; Attahiru Bafarawa, a former governor of Sokoto state; the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; A former member of the House of Representatives, Datti Baba-Ahmed; the immediate past President of the Senate, David Mark; and a former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang.

In his speech the convention chairman, Dogara, argued the delegates to put aside sentiment and friendship, hence seize the opportunity to vote the right candidate.

Stressing that the convention will change the history of the country and also bring a new dawn for Nigeria.

 “We have a problem of infrastructures because we are living in a country with decayed infrastructure," he says.

“With right leadership, I tell you that Nigeria will become the best not only in Africa but in the entire world.

"I charge you not to waste this opportunity; we must exclude sentiment and friendship so that we can choose the best candidate for Nigeria

“We want someone that will lead us into victory this night. I encourage you not to be tired because this convention will change the history of the country and be the beginning of the foundation that will propel us to victory."

Some of the aspirants, mounted the podium to address the audience, they include

Atiku Abubakar

“This election is one of the most important in the history of Nigeria.

Four years ago the people of Nigeria voted change but now they cannot see any change in Nigeria

Farmers are struggling, businesses are closing down

It is time we got Nigeria working again

We need jobs and security for every Nigerian so that they will progress

You’re aware of my long work in business to develop the country

I will create jobs and bring wealth to Nigeria

With your support we can transform Nigeria”.

Attahiru Bafarawa

“As a Governor, I served Sokoto State without receiving salaries,

I want to become the Nigerian President, not a Religion President,

I've travelled by road to SS SE SW and North to see the bad roads myself

I promise not to let you down if you give me the mandate,

I want to assure the delegates that any result this night, I will support it.

We must propel this country to greatness”.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

“Please when you want to cast your vote, ensure you elect the delegate that will represent the will of people.

Winning election should not be the major problem but how to run the government. I have the experience to lead.

We have other issues of restructuring and I really support restructuring so that this country will be successful.

We need reforms in this country. I will reform the police force and other agencies”.

Sule Lamido

“PDP has a heritage to defend.

You and I were there when the problem happened to PDP.

We are able to reassemble PDP

Delegates, when you pick the ballot paper, make sure you think well before you vote.

I have the credibility.

Vote your conscience

You know that after voting and your conscience is clean it doesn’t challenge you at your seat”.

Ahmed Makarfi

“I was a leading contender in the election that took place. I didn’t lose hope. I remain in the party.

I may have had some disappointments but they didn't affect me.

What I witness here is a testimony that my faith and belief in this party is not misplaced.

On restructuring, it is not a candidate's idea but the PDP idea.

I will not promise and promise that for fun because I have served and we are able to deliverer.

Security challenges across Nigeria under my leadership will be addressed

I was a student union activist and a lecturer, if given chance I won't fail you”

Sen. Bukola Saraki

“I stand here to see the faces of the delegates

I stand here as millions of Nigerians are watching us

Today, this country is not only divided, there’s poverty that we must put an end to. It doesn’t know party.

We must vote for person that has the capacity to move this country forward. Do not vote with sentiment

If you’re looking for someone who will unite this country, that is me.

You cannot give what you don’t have.

Remember this day, delegates, so that you can vote for the interest of Nigerians.

I will work hard to bring prosperity

This is the time for a youth to become the President of this Nigeria.

Whoever emerges, I will stand by him”.

Tambuwal

“Nigeria today is searching for a leader who can be trusted

I have been member, Minority Leader, Deputy Chief Whip and Speaker of the House of Representatives

I led a house that was corrupt-free, that promoted the rule of law

I’m well-prepared to provide a democratic society that will respect the rule of law

We are looking for a leader who will be looked up to in Nigeria and the rest of the world.

We must not remain static; we must think out of the box

We will create wealth, in terms of creativity jobs... I will do that using technology

We will grow our GDP and fund agriculture

We will invest in our solid minerals

We should be able to proved what Nigerians need.

If for any reason I do not win, I will work with the winner.

Nigeria and Nigerians are the first”.

Tanimu Turaki

“In the last 10 months, we have robust discussions with Nigerians.

Their problems include poverty and hopelessness.

We need to choose a person that can win election for us, a candidate who can tackle the ruling party, should be voted for.

I can do 1,000 times more than what the APC are doing.

It is no longer the party that is sponsoring the candidate but a candidate that has integrity and credibility; I have it.

A candidate that has political will; I have it.

We need a candidate who can mend the bridges that have divided the unity of this nation.

We need a person that has education; I’m not only a lawyer but I have risen to the highest level

We need to make the choice that will elevate Nigeria from poverty and hunger

Only one person can be the President of Nigeria; anyone of us who gets the ticket, I will support him”.

Worthy to note is that voting has commenced as at the time of this report.

More details follow…