Atiku Declares 2015 Presidential Ambition, Secures APC Nomination Form
Former Vice-President and Presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has paid the fee required to secure his presidential nomination form on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Atiku, who picked up the form at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja and is first to declare his intention to contest the Presidential ticket under the platform of the APC, urged the leaders of the party to ensure all aspirants have a level-playing ground before and during the primaries.
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.”
After his solicitation, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said that what was of utmost importance was for Nigerians to have a President that would defend the interest of the country.
Atiku also revealed that his campaign committee would be hosting a Policy Review Summit at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on October 27.
He said, “It is not the issue of whether endorsement is coming from Chief Olusegun Obasanjo or whatever. Obasanjo is in the PDP. He can endorse whoever he wants to endorse or not endorse. That is the beauty of democracy.
“You will remember in 2008, when Barack Obama first ran (for President), a leading Republican, Gen. Collin Powel, decided to endorse him but he was in the Republican Party. That is the beauty of democracy.
“You have the right to endorse or not to endorse anybody but the final decision rests with the people. Don’t bother about endorsement or not. I am prepared to be President.”