The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party has given its approval for the sale and submission of expressions of interest and nomination forms for the forthcoming Edo State election. The sale period is set to commence on January 25 and conclude on February 11, 2024.
The decision was communicated in a communiqué issued by Obiora Ifoh, the national publicity secretary of the party, after the NWC meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday. Ifoh highlighted that female aspirants are exempted from paying for the expression of interest form.
In his statement, Ifoh provided details of the guidelines set by the NWC for the conduct of congress and primaries to select candidates for the Edo gubernatorial election. The key points include the approval of form sales to all eligible aspirants, specifying that they must be Nigerians or residents in the state.
Ifoh further outlined the approved fees for the process, stating, “NWC approved that the fees for expression of interest shall be five million naira only, while the nomination form shall be twenty-five million naira only.”
The Committee also sanctioned the use of an indirect primary election format, wherein ward and local government congresses will be conducted to elect the party’s flag bearers. As part of the timeline, the screening of aspirants is scheduled for February 14, the primary election will take place on February 22, and February 23 is designated for the resolution of disputes or appeals arising from the primaries, if any.”