The Labour Party’s (LP) National Leadership has emphatically declared that the N30 million charged for Edo State governorship nomination and expression of interest forms will not be slashed, urging serious aspirants to source the funds.
In an interview with The PUNCH, LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, that Edo’s governorship election is a serious affair, questioning how aspirants unable to raise N30 million for forms would manage the main election’s costs, which could run into hundreds of millions.
This comes in response to the call by LP aspirant Egbe Omorodion, representing three others, who appealed to the party to review the fee.
Omorodion had stated the need for inclusivity, fearing that high form prices could silence voices of those who seek genuine change.
“We feel that the price of the form signifies the monetising of politics which is not what we want in the polity. Forms were sold for N15m each for the Imo State election. Why is it different in Edo?” He said.
While LP Chairman Kelly Ogbaloi refuted claims of the party being hijacked by moneybags, the LP National Publicity Secretary maintained that the N30 million fee signifies the party’s commitment to quality candidates.
He said, “My immediate reaction to this is that of the three major political parties in Nigeria, the Labour Party is still charging the lowest. And we have a stronger and better opportunity to win the Edo State governorship election.
“So, we are into a serious business, and if you cannot buy form of N30m, how would you prosecute the main election that will cost you hundreds of millions? In the Edo State governorship election, we are not just out there to fill names, we are out there to fill quality names that can win election for the party.
“So we appeal to the aspirants to understand and bear with us. We appeal to them to look for the money. The party has taken a decision. And we will not reverse the fees charged for expression of interest and nomination forms.”
