– Sales Begin Jan, 25
-Electorate Accuse National Chairman, Others Of Greed
As preparation for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, gathers momentum, the Labour Party has said that the Nomination form and the Expression of Interest form will cost thirty million (#30m).This is to tge surprise of electorate and stakeholders of the party who had thought LP would do something different.
The party had in a similar manner,pegged Governorship election form in Imo State at same amount for the Novermber 11 election,2023 until Peter Obi intervened and the money was brought down to #15Million .Though some of the Aspirants alleged that till the conduct of the election,LP was yet to refund them as directed by Peter Obi who saw the development as toeing the line of the ruling parties.
Some the stakeholders have accused the Party leadership of greed.They insinuate that the National leadership may not be interested in the victory of their candidate for the main election but to exploit them.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, who disclosed this in a statement he issued after a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee, said, “the National Working Committee of Labour Party has resolved to peg the fee the Nomination fee at #25m while the Expression of Interest form will cost #5m. The party also resolved to give the nomination form to females free, while they will pay for the Expression of Interest forms.
Ifoh, also disclosed that the sale of forms will commence on January, 25, and end on February, 11, 2024.
Ifoh, further stated that, “Arising from the meeting of the NWC of the Labour Party under the chairmanship of Julius Abure, the leadership of the party took a far-reaching decision on the Edo election.
“This is with regards to the guidelines for the conduct of congress and primaries to elect candidates for the Edo governorship election.
“They include the NWC’s approval of sale of forms to all interested aspirants from the state who are Nigerians or resident in the state.
“NWC approved that the fees for Expression of Interest shall be N5m while the Nomination form shall be N25m.”
Ifoh added that the NWC approved indirect primary elections, wherein ward and local government congresses shall hold to elect the party’s flag-bearers.
He said the NWC also approved February 14 for the screening of aspirants; February 22 for the primary election and February 23 for the resolution of dispute or appeals arising from the primaries, if any.
The LP spokesman said the NWC appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission, which carried out its verification duty, and commended the leadership of the party for complying with INEC’s rules and regulations.
He said the NWC passed a vote of confidence in its National Chairman, Abure, for effectively piloting the affairs of the party and giving it a proper direction.
“The NWC noted the milestone the party achieved in the recent general elections where it won one governorship, seven Senate, 34 House of Representatives and numerous State House of Assembly seats.
“It regretted that the number depleted after losing some seats through the courts while also hoping to gain more seats in the coming days through rerun elections.’’
Ifoh said that the NWC also pledged its loyalty to the party’s national leader and its 2023 presidential election candidate, Mr Peter Obi, for his commitment to the party, in spite of the electoral challenges”.
