By Matthew Denis with Agency Report
Former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke has emerged the Presidential flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party for the 2019 general election.
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.
During the news monitored in Ilorin last night on Channels Television, the Returning Officer, Dr Abdul Isiaq while declaring the results of the presidential primary election, said Mr. John Dara, scored 104 votes while former minister, Prof . Iyorwuese Hagher polled 72 votes. Also, Amb. Felix Osakwe scored 10 votes, while the number of invalid votes was 63.
Duke in his acceptance speech, described his emergence as a collective victory for all aspirants that participated in the contest as well for the party and the nation.
He said that the primary was just a step in the contest, saying he will go through the nation to campaign and sell the party and its policies to citizens.
Duke called for the support of all aspirants, the party officials and Nigerians to win the 2019 presidential election.
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.
