SAN FRANCISCO, June 17, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied reports that its 2019 presidential aspirants are to pay a total sum of N12m for both nomination and expression of interest forms, respectively.
The report was based on a 40-page document titled ‘Electoral Guideline for the PDP, Directorate of Organisation and Mobilisation’, signed by the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and the National Secretary of the party, Senator Umaru Tsauri.
The document said each presidential aspirant must be nominated by not less than 60 persons from at least two-thirds of all the states of the federation who shall be registered voters in their respective local government areas and also registered members of the party.
It, however, added that female aspirants are to pay only N2m for expression of interest form as they are exempted from the payment of N10m nomination fee.
Reacting to the report, the party in a statement signed by Col Austin Akobundu, its National Organizing Secretary,stated categorically that it was is still in the process of drawing up the guidelines for its presidential primary.
Read the statement below:
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a story titled “PDP LIST GUIDELINES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS, DEMANDS N12M FOR FORMS”.
We wish to state categorically that the Party is still in the process of drawing up the guidelines for its presidential primary election. It is therefore misleading to claim that the Party has ‘listed its guidelines’ not to talk of the cost of nomination forms.
At the appropriate time the proposals will be presented to NEC of the Party
which will approve as it deems fit. Only then can one say that it has the guidelines for the 2018 presidential primary election.
The National Working Committee of the PDP, under the leadership of Prince Uche Secondus, is committed to adhering strictly to the PDP Constitution and the constitution in Chapter 8 (50) (1) grants NEC the power to formulate the guidelines for aspirants in any of its Party Primaries, the presidential primary inclusive.
We appreciate the interest in the electoral processes of our great Party and the Party is always ready to respond to any enquiries and to make all
necessary information available.
We therefore, urge the general public, party members and our esteemed
presidential aspirants to disregard the said publication.
The authentic guidelines for PDP presidential primary election will be released as soon as they are considered by the organs of the Party.
