Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirants in Edo state, South south Nigeria have protested against the N30 million fees for the nomination and expression of interest forms for the September 21, 2024 election.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Aspirants in a joint statement called for reduction in the fees, in order not to discourage popular aspirants, and for the democratic process not to be limited.
The statement read, “We, the undersigned Labour Party gubernatorial aspirants for Edo State, after extensive internal discussions and also feeling the pulse of the members of our party, have made the following observations:
1. After careful scrutiny of the press release by the National Publicity Secretary of our Party dated January 17, 2024, where he communicated the resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our Party, the Labour Party, to peg the amounts of five million naira (NGN5,000,000.00) for the expression of interest form and twenty-five million naira (NGN25,000,000.00) for the nomination form for the governorship primary election in Edo State, we are concerned that the decision does not align with the principles and public perception of our party.
The Labour Party is known to the people as the party of “Mama, Papa, Pikin” and the Workers Party. The minimum wage in Nigeria for an average Nigerian worker today is Thirty-five thousand naira (NGN 35,000.00).
To peg the party forms for governorship at a price that is 100 times a Nigerian worker’s minimum wage in the midst of crushing economic hardship may be perceived as tone-deaf. The Labour Party prides itself on being a party of equal opportunity, which implies that an average worker with vision, requisite qualifications, and character should aspire to be the Governor of Edo State.
2. It is noteworthy that the NWC, in the last off-cycle elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo States, pegged the cost of forms at Twenty-five million naira (NGN25,000,000.00), but after public uproar and the intervention of our national leader, the party reduced the cost of forms to fifteen million naira (NGN15,000,000.00), which many members and those sympathetic to the cause of our party still found too pricey. To then come to Edo State to repeat the same thing gives the impression that the party leaders may not be feeling the pulse of their members.
Our vision for the Labour Party is rooted in earnest labour, voluntary service, and equal opportunity, which should be reflected in the affordability of party forms.
In light of these concerns, we, therefore, strongly recommend the following:
1. The expression of interest form should be made free for all aspirants, while the nomination form should be obtained at a cost that does not exceed from one to five million naira (NGN1,000.000.00 to 5,000,000.00) (50% reduction for women and people living with disabilities).
2. We also recommend that for the ward and local government congresses that the party has scheduled to hold, the forms for those interested in being delegates be made free. Our members at the grassroots, who have selflessly sacrificed and toiled and put their effort and resources into building our party, should not be compelled to pay for delegate forms, especially in light of the current economic reality in our country.
We understand the financial challenges the party may face, and we propose enforcing mandatory prescribed membership monthly dues collections as per the party’s constitution to address this concern.
*Conclusion*
In the shared spirit of a new Edo State and a new Nigeria, we hope the NWC will give due consideration to these concerns and recommendations before the commencement of the sales of the Expression of Interest and Gubernatorial Forms, scheduled to begin on January 25, 2024.
Signed:
1. Barrister Efosa Ogieriakhi
2. Engr. Michael Osho Oshiobugie
3. Hon. Lucky Ehis Obiyan
4. Dr. Loretta Oduwa Ogbor-Okor
5. Hon. Stephen Ogbemudia Osemwengie
6. Mr. Paul Agbonze Obazele
7. Dr. Aruna Braimoh Denzel
8. High Chief Dr. Okhaimon Daniel Eghonghon Akhuemonkhan Matthews
9. Engr. Morrison Eghobamien
10. Barrister Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata
11. Kingsley Ulinfun
12. Ehizojie Ohiowele
13. Dr.Osezua Ehiyamen
14. Azemhe Azena
15. Barrister Ihueghian Guobadia
16. Mr. Ernest Abegbe
17. Ambassador Princess Asha Emily Okojie-Odigie
18. Mr .Ogbemudia Bassey Osagie
