MoneyNigeria ElectionsAside N100m, Two Other Clauses APC Has Adopted To Reduce the Number of Presidential Aspirants

https://www.westafricanpilotnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/APC-Flad_02_27_2020-1280x853.jpg

ABUJA — When the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) announced its Presidential nomination and expression form at N100 Million, many analysts felt it was a plot to reduce the number of aspirants that will purchase the form, unfortunately, the party has currently made N17 billion from the sales of the form as 17 out of the about 30 aspirants who have declared interest have picked up the form.

The N100 million cost of the presidential nomination and expression form has generated reactions from Nigerians. Many who have condemned the idea were of the opinion that individuals willing to serve a country considered World Poverty Capital as of 2018 according to World Poverty Clock, should not spend that much on presidential nomination form if the person does not have the intention to ruin the country if voted into power.

Others were of the view that it will restrict youths who were vibrant and willing to contest for the presidential ticket of the ruling party. Of all the views shared about the price of the form, the APC has two other clauses for those who are willing to pay the N100m and it is not clear if these clauses will actually reduce the number of aspirants in the long run.

One of the clauses is the precondition for submitting the form, which is the signatures of 10 statutory delegates from each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

As observed from the form, each aspirant was required to get the signatures of 370 statutory delegates, covering the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Report reveals that as of Saturday afternoon, about 17 aspirants had obtained the N100m forms, but it could not be ascertained how many of them had submitted the forms.

Those who have picked the forms include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; and Governors Yahaya Bello and Abubakar Badaru of Kogi and Jigawa states.

The party in the guidelines and timetables released by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, fixed Tuesday as the last day for the submission of the forms.

Another strategy the party has adopted is the Form 18 ‘Letter of Withdrawal’ attached to the forms. The aspirants were expected to sign the letter and submit it with their forms and other documents.

The letter, which must be signed before a commissioner for oaths/ notary public before submission, read in part, “I hereby voluntarily withdraw my candidacy from the contest. My withdrawal is in the best interest of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.”

Some of the aspirants were said to be uncomfortable with the letter as they perceive it as a move to impose a consensus candidate on them.

According to The Punch, getting the statutory delegates’ signatures and the letter of withdrawal were some of the reasons a number of the aspirants had yet to submit their forms. The statutory delegates include the President and his deputy, serving governors and ex-governors, State Executive Council members, National Executive Committee and National Working Committee members, as well as all former national officers of the party, among others.

 

Bada Yusuf Amoo (Correspondent)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com