Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday followed up on his public declaration for the presidency as he picked the N27million presidential and expression of interest form to contest the presidential primaries on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) but asked for level playing ground for all aspirants.
Atiku will square up against a formidable aspirant and former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) for the APC presidential ticket. Other interested aspirants for the ticket include Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State; founder of Leadership Group, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah; and a University lecturer, Prof. Mahmood Aliyu.
The national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in his remarks, noted that Atiku was the first to formally declare his intention to contest the presidential ticket and also happens to be the first to pick the nomination form 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 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 to the members of this party and the Nigerian public to make a decision. I don’t think it is the responsibility of any one of us as an individual or group to decide for this party or its membership. 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 and the second one, presidential nomination form all totaling N27.5m and I believe I am now entitled to receive my forms and then go on to the next stage”.
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