A former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has congratulated Atiku Abubakar, for emerging the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential flagbearer on Saturday.
Atiku polled a total of 371 votes to defeat his closest rival, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state who garnered 237 votes.
Wike was followed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who polled 70 votes.
Gov Aminu Tambuwal had stepped down for Atiku before voting commenced.
Reacting, Fani-Kayode advised the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to field a northerner to defeat Atiku.
He wrote on Twitter, “Congratulations to @atiku. Not only is he a formidable candidate but he comes from a zone that has not produced a democratically-elected President for 62 years. This is justice.
“@OfficialAPCNg MUST field a NORTHERNER if we want to win. Whichever way, a hard fight lies ahead.”