The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says that any presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who purchases the N100m presidential nomination form should be investigated for suspected fraud.
The PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, stated this in a statement on Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Abuja.
The APC has pegged its nomination fees for President at N100 million, Governor at 50 million, Senate-N20 million, House of Representatives- at N10 million, and State House of Assembly – at N2 million Naira.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Exclusive Stories, News Reports, and Engaging Content. {Click Here}
Ayu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Simon Imobo-Tswam, said such prices did not take into consideration the economic situation and the suffering of Nigerians.
Ayu added that the price did not also reflect APC’s preaching for “Equal Opportunity.”
“This has disenfranchised thousands of Nigerian youths, and dashed the hopes of millions of Nigerian youths, who applauded signing of the Not Too Young To Run Bill into law in 2018.
“It is most insensitive, and mind-boggling. In fact, all those buying the N100m and N50m nomination forms should be investigated for suspected fraud.
“We, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are different. We are a mass movement for the Nigerian people. This is why our nomination fees are soft and democratic,” Ayu said.
ALSO READ: ‘Unbridled corruption’, Nigerians in shock as APC pegs presidential form at N100m
Similarly, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Agbo Major, has described the APC nomination fees for 2023 general elections as outrageous.
Major said that the fees were unfair, unjust, despicable and insensitive to the plights of Nigerians.
He said selling forms to the highest bidder, would encourage godfatherism.
“It will shut out patriotic and resourceful aspirants particularly women, youth and those with disability to continue its infamous recycling of retired and tired party stalwarts with no agenda for a better Nigeria.
ALSO READ: Kabiru Gaya: ‘Ex-presidents behind Osinbajo’s presidential ambition’
He also called on anti-graft agencies of the country to thoroughly investigate the source of income of any person who purchases the party nomination form.
“This is the only way the nation’s electoral process will be sanitised of money politics that has imposed clueless leaders on the populace.
“The consequence is the lingering political upheavals, insecurity, economic depression, moral decadence, religious disharmony and ethnic division across the country.”
Agbo called on Nigerians to rally support for NNPP in the 2023 general elections.
