An investigation has revealed that both the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have made ₦130.5m from the sales of nomination and expression of interest forms to interested aspirants contesting in the state primary.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on February 5, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja said the electoral body has fixed September 19 for the governorship election in Edo State
From the ₦130.5m, the APC has made ₦67.5m from selling three sets of expression of interest and nomination forms. The PDP on the other hand had made ₦63m with three aspirants.
The APC realized the amount from the ₦22.5m paid by each of the three aspirants who have bought the forms as the form has closed on Friday. Those who have obtained the form are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Governor Godwin Obaseki.
According to the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan who spoke with journalists said three aspirants had purchased the forms to contest the primary in Edo state.
The Party has extended the sale of its form for last Friday to Monday, June 1.
The investigation also revealed that the move could be connected with the need to accommodate aggrieved members of the APC who might be considering defecting to the PDP.
“We have strong candidates for the election. Already, three aspirants have picked our forms. The primary is going to be free, fair, and transparent. The NWC of the PDP under the leadership of Prince Uche Secondus has no room for manipulation of the primary. The people themselves will deliver the candidate of their choice through their votes.
“There will be no room for imposition of candidate. We are even ready to sell our forms to those who have yet to join us. We are not foreclosing the issue of waivers,’’
