Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi has lauded the national leadership of the party for reducing the fee for its governorship election nomination form in Imo State from N25 million to N15 million.
He also commended the national chairman of the party for agreeing to refund N10 million to each of the aspirants that had paid for the form already.
Obi was also happy with the party f agreeing to refund the cost of the form to the family of a deceased aspirant Chief Humphrey Anumudu from Imo State.
The party had commenced sale of nomination from for the governorship seat for N25 million, a price tag that was sharply criticised on social media by the party’s young supporters, popularly called ‘Obidents’, who felt that the huge amount could hinder many Nigerians from participating in governance at any level.
Some of the party’s officials, including the spokesperson of the Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, had cited campaign logistics as reasons for the exorbitant amount.
But in a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday, March 28, Okonkwo said the LP’s decision to reduce the nomination fee was based on Article 8(h) of the party’s Constitution, which aims to broaden participation in governance at all levels by ensuring that the costs of the electoral process do not constitute a hindrance to any Nigerian.
He also stated that N25 million was an exorbitant fee that would not be encouraged.
In line with the decision to slash the cost of the governorship election nomination form, the cost of nomination forms for all elective positions are to be reviewed downwards by the party, Okonkwo added.
However, Obi who praised the party through his verified Twitter handle, saying the
that the gestures, reflected Labour Party’s responsiveness to the yearnings of Nigerians.
He tweeted, “I thank the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure, and the NWC for heeding to my appeal, and reviewing the nomination fee for the governorship form downwards to N15m.
“I applaud them for also agreeing to refund the cost of the form to the family of a deceased aspirant Chief Humphrey Anumudu from Imo State; and also agreeing to refund N10m to each of those that had paid.
These gestures, reflect Labour Party’s responsiveness to the yearnings of Nigerians. -PO
The LP governorship primary election in Imo State is scheduled to take place next month, with 13 aspirants already securing nomination and expression of interest forms.
Among those vying for the LP governorship ticket are Major General Lincoln Jack Ogunewe (retd), Senator Athan Achonu, Martin Agbaso, Barr Humphrey Anumudu, Chief Joseph Ukaegbu, Dr Tochi J.Ehirim, Rt Hon Ike Ibe, Rt Hon Kelechi Nwagwu, Dr Basil Maduka, Engr Chinedu Amadi, AIG Charles Agomuo (retd), Capt David Mbamara, and Chief C. Ishiguzo.
