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Aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the forthcoming Kogi state Governorship election are poised for a showdown with the party leadership over the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms.
THE OBSERVERS TIMES gathered in Abuja on thursday that aspirants, seeking the party’s nomination to contest the governorship were on a collision course with the party leadership.
The PDP National Working Committee had proposed N21m as the cost of the nomination and expression of interest forms for the office of the Governor, and N 3m naira State Party Development levies charged imposed on each of the aspirants ,which is way higher compare to the N6m paid in the previous election
A member of the party’s NEC, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said the party leadership would stick to “its guns” as regards the fees that will enable the party identify the real contenders, as some are being sent to cause disaffection in the party.
He told THE OBSERVERS TIMES, “As a party, we want people who have capacity and what we are asking for is reasonable in the circumstance. Even though some party faithful and loyalist expressed their reservations about the cost of the forms.
An aspirant who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardise his reputation , said, “We will give the party the choice of either reviewing the costs downwards or be prepared for mass defections which will certainly follow as some of them are already considering moving to APGA, ADC, SDP and other party while some are waiting for the APC to announce its own form fee”
One of the Governorship Aspirant from Kogi East said he has suspended his propose tour across the local government in the state urged the tto review downward the fee payable for the governorship nomination form said the elective positions should not be for politicians with deep pockets alone accused the party of plotting to scare some of them who are not rich asked the party not to deprive those who have something meaningful to contribute to the party and the society at large.”
When contacted, the National Organising Secretary of the party, the officer who dont want his name mention said the party had yet to receive any formal complaint from any of its members or aspirants either from Kogi state or Bayelsa state where the election is fast coming
He also explained that what the NWC presented before NEC was a proposal which was considered and approved.
Aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the forthcoming Kogi state Governorship election are poised for a showdown with the party leadership over the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms.
THE OBSERVERS TIMES gathered in Abuja on thursday that aspirants, seeking the party’s nomination to contest the governorship were on a collision course with the party leadership.
The PDP National Working Committee had proposed N21m as the cost of the nomination and expression of interest forms for the office of the Governor, and N 3m naira State Party Development levies charged imposed on each of the aspirants ,which is way higher compare to the N6m paid in the previous election
A member of the party’s NEC, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said the party leadership would stick to “its guns” as regards the fees that will enable the party identify the real contenders, as some are being sent to cause disaffection in the party.
He told THE OBSERVERS TIMES, “As a party, we want people who have capacity and what we are asking for is reasonable in the circumstance. Even though some party faithful and loyalist expressed their reservations about the cost of the forms.
An aspirant who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardise his reputation , said, “We will give the party the choice of either reviewing the costs downwards or be prepared for mass defections which will certainly follow as some of them are already considering moving to APGA, ADC, SDP and other party while some are waiting for the APC to announce its own form fee”
One of the Governorship Aspirant from Kogi East said he has suspended his propose tour across the local government in the state urged the tto review downward the fee payable for the governorship nomination form said the elective positions should not be for politicians with deep pockets alone accused the party of plotting to scare some of them who are not rich asked the party not to deprive those who have something meaningful to contribute to the party and the society at large.”
When contacted, the National Organising Secretary of the party, the officer who dont want his name mention said the party had yet to receive any formal complaint from any of its members or aspirants either from Kogi state or Bayelsa state where the election is fast coming
He also explained that what the NWC presented before NEC was a proposal which was considered and approved.
The Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi state has about forty five governorship aspirant while Bayelsa has four aspirants
