Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
A former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has paid the stipulated N27.5m to pick the presidential nomination form of the All Progressives Congress on Monday.
Atiku picked the form after a short ceremony at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.
Speaking during the event, Atiku enjoined the party leaders to ensure a level-playing field for all aspirants before and during the primaries.
The former vice president was the first to formally declare his intention to contest the Presidential ticket under the platform of the APC. Also, he happened to be the first to pick the nomination ticket, while others are yet to declare.
Atiku said, “Mr. Chairman, I need not let you know my political antecedents as far as the provision of a level-playing field for every member of this party is concerned because that is the only thing or one of the things that will make us different from the so called ruling party.
“Anybody who believes he has a democratic right to exercise should be given that opportunity to exercise that right. It is left for the members of this party and the Nigerian public to make a decision.
“I don’t think it is the responsibility of anyone of us as an individual or group to decide for this party or its membership for the people of this country. Yes, as leaders, we have a responsibility to guide those coming behind, but the guidance should be based on this firmly rooted democratic principles.
“Mr. Chairman, therefore, it is my singular honour and privilege to hand over to you or your representative two receipts: one, presidential expression of interest; the second one, presidential nomination form; all totalling N27.5m and I believe I am now entitled to receive my forms and then go onto the next stage.”
Responding, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, prayed that God should give to Nigerians a President that would defend the interest of the country.
Atiku picked the form after a short ceremony at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.
Speaking during the event, Atiku enjoined the party leaders to ensure a level-playing field for all aspirants before and during the primaries.
The former vice president was the first to formally declare his intention to contest the Presidential ticket under the platform of the APC. Also, he happened to be the first to pick the nomination ticket, while others are yet to declare.
Atiku said, “Mr. Chairman, I need not let you know my political antecedents as far as the provision of a level-playing field for every member of this party is concerned because that is the only thing or one of the things that will make us different from the so called ruling party.
“Anybody who believes he has a democratic right to exercise should be given that opportunity to exercise that right. It is left for the members of this party and the Nigerian public to make a decision.
“I don’t think it is the responsibility of anyone of us as an individual or group to decide for this party or its membership for the people of this country. Yes, as leaders, we have a responsibility to guide those coming behind, but the guidance should be based on this firmly rooted democratic principles.
“Mr. Chairman, therefore, it is my singular honour and privilege to hand over to you or your representative two receipts: one, presidential expression of interest; the second one, presidential nomination form; all totalling N27.5m and I believe I am now entitled to receive my forms and then go onto the next stage.”
Responding, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, prayed that God should give to Nigerians a President that would defend the interest of the country.
