This was announced Monday at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.This announcement brings to an end weeks of speculation

 about who the Northern PDP candidate might be.The statement announcing the choice of Atiku and his acceptance speech

 are published below:

Northern Political Leaders Forum Consensus Candidate Committee

Conclusion of Assignment

We are pleased to announce that we have concluded our assignment of arriving at a consensus candidate today and one out of the four

 aspirants who submitted themselves to the process has emerged. He is ATIKU ABUBAKAR

2. We are glad and proud that we have finally arrived at this outcome after several weeks of hard work and wide consultations. 

We are proud because of the unusual honour and extraordinary privilege given us by the four gentlemen who placed their

 political destinies in our hands. We are humbled by the strength of their faith. We appreciate their humility and cooperation. 

We have been reassured by all of them that they will work together to enable ATIKU ABUBAKAR clinch their party’s

 ticket in the presidential primaries.

3. We thank all Nigerians, supporters and critics alike for their views over these past several weeks. While we note these views and 

respect each one of them, we insist that no individual, organization or society dreaming of success and greatness can achieve these 

dreams without respect for others and honouring agreements voluntarily entered into. This is especially so where these agreements 

have been transformed into a binding document, a constitution, which governs the conduct of those who subscribe to it.

4. We call on all Nigerians to reflect on this. We also call on all delegates to the forthcoming party conventions to take these into 

account while casting votes.

God bless the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Thank you.  

Adamu Ciroma                                    Abdulkadir   Sabo Bello

Chairman                                                            

                                                   Secretary

Atiku’s Acceptance Speech:

A short while ago, the Consensus Committee of the Northern Elders Political  Forum announced me as the consensus candidate from amongst the four who  submitted themselves to this process to endorse  a candidate to contest the forthcoming primary elections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  This came after what were obviously wide-ranging and painstaking consultations across the length and breath of this country.

I am humbled by this endorsement, and I accept it wholeheartedly, with humility and sense of responsibility. I commend the Consensus Committee for this endorsement and for their sacrifice,  their patriotism, their commitment and their integrity.  They have made an  important contribution to the unity and stability of this country.

I am profoundly grateful to the other aspirants who were screened by the  Consensus Committee for their commitment to the consensus process. All three of them, former President Ibrahim Babangida, former National Security Adviser, General Mohamed Aliyu Gusau, and Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, are eminently qualified for the office of President. Their decision to abide by the decision of the Consensus Committee is a further testimony to their patriotism, honour, service and selflessness.  Nigerians will forever remain grateful to  them for their contribution to the peace, unity and stability of this country. I will continue to count on their support in the campaign to win the PDP primaries and the 2011 Presidential election.

I commend Nigerians for their patience, understanding, support and prayers.  I shall need the support of all as I seek the mandate to be the flag-bearer of the PDP in the 2011 Presidential election.

This is a time for sober reflection on the challenges facing our country and the immense opportunities that exist for us to address them.  I hope that the conclusion of this consensus process will mark an end to the divisive politics which our opponents have been promoting. In the days ahead I shall be addressing the press, and will continue to unfold my agenda for providing good governance and building a new Nigeria for all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic,  religious or sectarian affiliations.  With your support and prayers we shall make good things happen.

Atiku Abubakar, GCON.