by Isi Esene

The quest to take over from President Goodluck Jonathan is gradually taking shape as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar purchases his nomination form.

Atiku who is one of the frontrunners in next year’s presidential elections will have to slug it out with ex-Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to fly the All Progressives Congress’ flag during the highly anticipated elections.

Atiku who picked the party nomination form at the APC Headquarters in Abuja today became the first candidate to do so in the lead up to the 2015 elections.

Speaking before collecting his form, the ex-vice president urged the APC leadership to give those interested in contesting next-year’s election the opportunity of doing so.

He said, “Actually I thought it was going to be a very quiet process and therefore, we quietly pay and quietly collect our forms. But we have been told that it requires a formal event like this. It is quite understandable because this is a party built on very solid democratic credentials of transparency, equity and justice.

“I therefore feel privileged and honoured to be part of this process. I need not let people 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 that will make the difference between us and 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,” he said.

Isime Esene