Ahead of the November 16 kogi and Bayelsa states governorship elections, female and physically challenged governorship aspirants on the platform of governing All progressive Congress (APC) are expected to pay a total sum of N11.2 million to procure the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
Our correspondent reports that it is the first time female and physically challenged members are asked to pay such amount.
According to a time-table and schedule of activities for the conduct of the elections released Tuesday in Abuja, each male aspirant angling for the ticket of the party is to pay the of N 2,500,000.00 to procure the Expression of Interest form while the cost of nomination form is put at N20,000,000.00., totalling N22,500,000.00
The guideline signed by party’s National Organising Secretary, Emma Ibediro, also stated that there shall be no separate charge for any of the deputy governorship aspirants.
The party further directed that female aspirants and physically challenged aspirants to pay 50% of the prescribed fees for each position adding all payments are to be made in full directly into the designated bank accounts of the party.
The sale of forms commences on Wednesday 10th July to last till Tuesday 20thAugust, 2019 as Wednesday 21st of August, 2019 has been fixed as the last day for submission of completed forms to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Thursday 22nd August 2019 has also been scheduled for the screening of aspirants, as primaries for the states is billed to hold on Thursday 29thAugust, 2019 in line with the provision of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Access to funds had been attributed as one of the factors responsible for the poor participation of women in politics and governance in the country.
