Politics
Donald Duke defeats Jerry Gana, others to emerge SDP presidential candidate
Former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, is the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.
Duke emerged the party’s presidential candidate during its national convention held at Old Parade Ground, Abuja on Saturday.
He garnered a total of 812 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, who polled 611 votes.
In the results announced by the Convention Returning Officer, Dr Abdul Isiaq, Mr. John Dara, former Special Assistant to Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, former Defence Minister, scored 104 votes.
Another contestant for the position, a former Ambassador and former Minister, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, got 72 votes; while, Felix Osakwe, also a former Ambassador had 10 votes.
Duke said in his acceptance speech that his victory was a collective one for all the aspirants. He assured he would go around the nation to campaign and ensure SDP is embraced and voted for by Nigerians in 2019.
“We will reawaken in Nigerians that yearning that we are destined to be, but we cannot do this alone.”
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According to the SDP presidential candidate, “What divides us (Nigerians) 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.”
Duke who described Nigerians as being productive, said if the people would abide by rules and regulations, the nation would grow from strength to strength.
He added, “This is what good governance is all about and that is what I stand for.”
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