Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party said though Labour Party’s Peter Obi took chunk of votes from his party’s traditional strongholds in the South-East and South-South, the regional ballots could not have made Mr Obi win presidency.

Fielding questions from journalists after a press conference on the outcome of the February 25 presidential election on Thursday evening, Mr Abubakar admitted that “It is a fact that he took our votes in the South-East and South-South.” He however added that “That of course will not make him a president. You all know that to become a president in country you need votes from everywhere.”

Per declared results, Mr Obi’s Labour Party won in a landslide in all southeastern states as well as in three South-South States of Edo, Delta and Cross River.

Mr Obi was the running mate to Mr Abubakar in the 2019 presidential election. He left the PDP a few weeks before the party’s primary citing a gang up against his emergence. After he emerged candidate of Labour’s flag bearer, Mr Obi enjoyed wavy support from his Igbo kinsmen and many youths who are angling for a departure from the old political order.

Mr Abubakar however said had Mr Obi remained in PDP, he would have been offered the vice presidential slot on his ticket. 

Mr Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, winning 12 of 36 states of Nigeria. 

Mr Abubakar came second polling 6,984,520 votes, while Mr Obi came third, polling 6,101,533 votes.

A former vice president between 1999-2007, Mr Abubakar has vowed to challenge Mr Tinubu’s victory in the court.