Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday paid N27.5m to pick the presidential nomination form of the All Progressives Congress.
This is as he has unveiled plans by his campaign committee to host a Policy Review Summit at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on October 27, 2014.
Speaking at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja where he picked up the form, Atiku enjoined the party leaders to ensure a level-playing field for all aspirants before and during the primaries.
“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,” he said.
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.
Oyegun said that the party was looking forward to a contest that would be totally rancour-free, believing that one of the aspirants would eventually emerge while others would join hands to make sure that Nigeria become a pride of the black nation.
Meanwhile, on why he took the event to Obasanjo’s Presidential Library, Atiku 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.”
Atiku Abubakar is a real democrat who believe in the unity and the development of Nigeria, with your recent purchase of the APC form and the display of your policy documents it has shown that you are the real man for the job. And for Obasanjo, even though he remain a father of the Nation he should note that it is the electorates that will decide for any elections.