…Sets timetable for upcoming elections
The Labour Party sternly cautioned former Nigerian Bar Association President, Olumide Akpata, to refrain from involvement within the party, branding him a supposed informant for Governor Obaseki.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday and signed by Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, the party accused Akpata of being a planted informant within their ranks, asserting that the Labour Party in Edo State is not a repository for politically spent forces.
“Labour Party Edo State is in for a serious business and not a political orphanage, where all manners of politically spent forces or junks can be deposited,” the statement reads as reported by Vanguard.
Simultaneously, the party disclosed the timetable and plans for the upcoming 2024 bye-elections, aligning with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s schedule for National and State Assembly bye-elections and the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, outlined the timeline, stating that the sale of nominations, expressions of interest, and delegate forms will commence on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
The party further issued guidelines for conducting primaries for the upcoming elections in Edo and Ondo States, scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2024, and Saturday, November 16, 2024, respectively.
In a bold move, the party detailed the substantial financial requirements for aspirants interested in contesting various positions. For gubernatorial candidates in Edo and Ondo States, the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms amount to a combined N27 million.
Additionally, the party outlined the fees for those seeking Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly positions, requiring N12 million, N6.5 million, and N1.5 million, respectively, for Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.
The Labour Party’s statement emphasized the stipulated payment process, indicating that members must provide proof of payment through bank tellers to the party’s National Treasurer, Roland Daramola, to obtain the party’s receipt required for form purchase at the Abuja Secretariat.
Moreover, female members and persons with disabilities (PWD) are exempted from paying Nomination Forms fees, while only financial members with evidence of paying monthly dues for at least six months before the election can elect delegates.
The party also provided a detailed timeline for the election process, stressing the end dates for form submissions, screening procedures, and the caution against making payments through a restrained former National Chairman, Julius Abure.
Lastly, the party notified INEC about the outlined timetables for these forthcoming elections.
