Ahead of the 2015 general elections, an ex- vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar had on Monday, October 13, 2014, taken the bulls by the horns by coughing out N27.5Million in order to obtain the presidential nomination form under the auspices of the Alliance Progressive Congress.
This took place in Abuja after an unspecified ceremony at the national secretariat.
A statement by the former vice president who claims to be the “most investigated Nigerian”, called on the people at the helms of the party’s affairs to maintain a level-playing ground for all their candidates through the duration of the primaries election.
The former vice president , according to Punch reports, was the first to formally declare his intention to contest the presidential ticket and also happened to be the first to pick the nomination form.
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 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 honor 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 onto the next stage.”
Meanwhile, the national chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, asked that God should give Nigeria a president who will have the interest of the subjects at heart to the emulation of other countries in the African continent
According to him, expectations were very high towards a hitch free election which at the end will produce the best candidate on merit who will work hand in hand with other well meaning leaders in order to make the nation achieve greater feats.
As part of his campaign strategies, Atiku in a press statement had initially disclosed the plan to convene a summit on Policy review scheduled for October 27, 2014 at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun state’s capital.
Concerning the endorsement of candidates, Atiku was less concerned as he held the view that the votes of the people will determine who wins and who loses out in the forthcoming general election.
