The Labour Party (LP) emphasized that the N30 million fee for Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the Edo State governorship election is the most affordable among the top three political parties nationwide.
According to Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, who spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, aspiring candidates contemplating entry into the gubernatorial race must be financially prepared for the task.
“The LP’s fee remains the lowest among the three major political parties. Therefore, those unable to meet this requirement lack the financial capacity for a gubernatorial bid,” asserted Ifoh.
Highlighting that political party funding poses significant challenges, Ifoh stressed the importance of form sales as a crucial revenue stream.
He acknowledged that these funds are essential for addressing issues like litigation, logistics, and the overall functioning of the party.
“The expenses associated with primaries, election logistics, and litigation necessitate the fees. This is vital for the party’s responsibilities to aspirants and candidates,” explained Ifoh.
Elaborating on the recently approved guidelines for primaries, Ifoh emphasized its alignment with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the LP’s constitution.
He underlined that the guidelines promote inclusive participation among party members, with roles assigned from ward levels up to the local government.“To ensure a broad involvement of our members, each ward will nominate two delegates.
These delegates will converge at the local government level to nominate five delegates each. This extensive process will culminate in the primary election on February 22, 2024, to select the party’s candidate,” he added.
In light of these developments, the LP aims to streamline the gubernatorial candidacy process while ensuring financial preparedness among potential aspirants.
The guidelines, aligned with legal frameworks, strive for inclusivity within the party’s ranks, fostering a democratic approach to candidate selection.
