Incumbent Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was elected early Friday morning the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s presidential candidate for the April general election.
President Jonathan secured his candidacy after defeating former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and veteran female politician Sarah Jibril in an intraparty election in the Eagle Square in the capital city of Abuja.
The Nigerian leader got 2,736 votes while Atiku secured 805 votes. Sarah Jibril had only one vote.
The voting began at about 8:00 p.m. Thursday in the Eagle Square, which had been guarded by 17,000 policemen and security personnel, and the vote counting ended at about 6:00 a.m. Friday.
"I therefore declare President Goodluck Jonathan to be the winner of the Presidential Primary election," the Returning Officer and Chairman of the Electoral Panel Tunde Adeniran announced.
President Jonathan won the majority votes in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but lost in Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
In his acceptance speech, the Nigerian leader assured the nation of continued good governance if elected president at the April presidential election.
He also reiterated his commitment towards the fight against corruption, and promised to provide good leadership.
The Nigerian leader said the victory was a monumental mandate.
"It means that delegates have chosen unity, progress and good leadership," he said and promised not to disappoint Nigerians.
The president promised to tackle the challenges of poor education, health, security and the economy as well as the crisis in the energy and power sectors.
He assured that the plan for national security would address the problems of insecurity in the country.
Jonathan extended a hand of friendship to those who lost in the primaries so that unity would be restored in the party.
He thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him.
Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo for winning the PDP presidential primary election.
Obasanjo, who is the Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman of the PDP, told reporters soon after Jonathan's endorsement that it had been a hard fought battle.
"I congratulate all the participants. In a special way, I congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo for winning the first mandate to contest the election," he said.
"The euphoria of success in the primaries should not make us forget the tremendous challenges ahead and the need for hard work to get elected thereafter," he added.
"They should prepare to give first class administration to help Nigeria overcome its challenges," the former leader told reporters.
The PDP has won all of the three presidential elections in 1999, 2003 and 2007 since Nigeria began its civil rule in 1999.