Abacha’s Former Aide, Al-Mustapha Wins AA Presidential Ticket

The 2023 presidential primary election of the Action Alliance (AA) held in Abuja yesterday, ended in favour of former Nigerian Army major and intelligence officer, Hamza Al-Mustapha.

Naija News reports that Al-Mustapha who served as Chief Security Officer to late General Sani Abacha won the highest votes at the AA presidential primaries to defeat his closest and only contender, Samson Odupitan.

He garnered 506 votes to emerge as the party’s flagbearer ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Reacting to his victory at the primary, Al-Mustapha thanked the party’s electoral committee for the successful conduct of the smooth exercise.

He said: “From all indications, this was a very transparent exercise and I commend other aspirants for their efforts to ensure that the party remains united.

“I also commend Mr Odupitan for contesting, because if everybody withdrew, there won’t be victory as we have seen today.

“I appreciate all party delegates, supporters, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who have all defied the rain to witness this event.”

Al-Mustapha promised that the votes cast for him at the primary election would not be in vain.

He also admonished Nigerians to obtain their permanent voter card (PVC), stating that it is the surest way to be victorious in the coming 2023 general election.

Naija News understands that two aspirants, Tunde Anifowose and Felix Osakwe had earlier withdrawn from the presidential race for Al-Mustapha.

A total of 972 delegates were expected to participate in the exercise, but 851 delegates were accredited and 721 votes were cast.

Speaking after the exercise yesterday, AA national chairman, Kenneth Udeze, congratulated Al-Mustapha and other aspirants who contested for the party’s presidential ticket.

He called for synergy among all the aspirants to enable the party to win at the 2023 election.