SaharaReporters on Monday reported that the spokesperson for the Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, said that the N25million being charged by the party as the nomination fee for gubernatorial aspirants was exorbitant and would not stand.
The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has reviewed and now fixed N15million as the nomination fee for the governorship form.
SaharaReporters on Monday reported that the spokesperson for the Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, said that the N25million being charged by the party as the nomination fee for gubernatorial aspirants was exorbitant and would not stand.
Okonkwo, while buttressing his point said that the Labour Party’s constitution frowned at any action that would constitute a hindrance to the participation of any Nigerian in governance at any level, adding that the party would not encourage such exorbitant charges.
According to Okonkwo, “The party’s constitution frowns at any action that will constitute a hindrance to the participation of any Nigerian in governance at any level,” adding that “N25 million is exorbitant and will not be encouraged,” because “Article 8(h) of the Labour Party Constitution states, "To broaden participation in governance at all levels by ensuring that the costs of the electoral process do not constitute hindrance to any Nigerian.”
Giving an update on the party’s decision on the nomination fee, Okonkwo in a statement on Tuesday said that the party has fixed the governorship nomination form fee at N15million.
“After due consultation with all the relevant stakeholders in the party, and taking into consideration the overwhelming interest of Nigerians in our party, and the necessity to birth a new Nigeria, and in view of the prevailing high cost of things in Nigeria, which the incompetent APC ruling party has foisted on all Nigerians, the Labour Party, as a listening party, has taken note of the suggestions of Nigerians that a party of the working class Nigerians should settle for a nomination fee of not more than N15m for the post of a governor.
“In line with our avowed disposition to carry Nigerians along in what we do, the Party has decided to review the cost of nomination forms downwards for all positions taking into consideration the suggested amount of N15m for the post of Governor. We must move together to salvage our country from incompetent and dishonest leadership of the old order,” he stated.
... the incompetent APC ruling party has foisted on all Nigerians, the Labour Party, as a listening Party, has taken note of the suggestions of Nigerians that a party of the working class Nigerians should settle for a nomination fee of not more than N15m for the post of a ...
— Kenneth Okonkwo (@realkenokonkwo) March 28, 2023