The Labour Party, LP, has come under fire for setting the price of its nomination and expression of interest forms at N25 million ahead of the Imo State governorship election planned for November 11.
According to the source, 12 candidates—aside from the deceased Humprey Anumudu—have chosen Labour Party nomination forms to run in the Imo State off-cycle governorship election.
The All Progressives Party, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have received criticism from Nigerians, including the Labour Party, for selling their nomination papers for N40 million and N20 million, respectively.
Abayomi Ararambi, the publicity secretary for the Labour Party, criticised the APC and PDP in March for excluding young people from their nomination processes by charging expensive fees. But the current state of affairs goes against the party's former position.
Sunday saw a flurry of social media condemnations of the situation, with many Nigerians expressing their outrage in the manners listed below:
The governor's nomination and statement of interest form being pegged at N25M is obscene, according to FS Emeka Yusuf. @NgLabour shouldn't make it difficult for us to defend them. We want a party that will challenge the established quo and should make a difference. The motto should be "equal opportunity."
@Abel "NGN 500,000 or even NGN 1,000, 000 is preferable," says Joshua Chinaza. That will up the level of competition in the race. A group of eager young brains who are not moneybags but want to join the team to serve the public have already been eliminated due to exorbitant charges for common expressions of interest.
Official Chuks: If in-house scrutiny has been correctly conducted, selecting an interest form shouldn't be dependent on who can purchase the form but rather on the candidate's capability. That ought to be the wisest course of action.
Dr. Ekpos Chinwe Weritimi: "Will you please remind me of the fundamental principles that LP upholds? I am aware of Obi-abilities, Datti's credibility, and moral character. And those who turned into Obidients found it to be true. Is LP like an old wine sack trying to hold the fresh Obidients wine?
Igbudu: "I don't see why people can't just use logic. They are relying on the goodwill of many young Nigerians, did they not realise that? Typically, one would anticipate that they would use additional factors, such as past performance, to lure in a qualified and suitable candidate.
@Kanu Levi: "I don't know whether there are requirements for raising such money because I don't understand why someone who wants to serve the public would pay N25 million only to buy a form; what would be his salary in 4 years? Because @PeterObi could be the last, @NgLabour should exercise extreme caution.
When asked for comments, Mr. Julius Abure, national chairman of the Labour Party, responded, "I am at a meeting, I can't speak on the case.
Hope Uzodinma, the APC's current governor of Imo State, is up for re-election in the region. Primaries for the various parties vying for the governorship position are anticipated to take place between March 27 and April 17, 2023.
On November 11, 2023, Kogi and Bayelsa states will join Imo in holding their governorship elections.