………..Candidates with resources should procure forms
By Muhd D Haidar
Barely two days after the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its decision to boycott the forthcoming local government election in Jigawa state, the party has made a U-turn to participate in the exercise.
Hotpen reports that, the state party Chairman, Hon. Ali Idris Diginsa has shortly after Jigawa Electoral Commission released the amount to be paid as form fee by candidates aspiring for chairmanship N5m and councillorship N2m, told newsmen that the party will not participate due to high cost of form fee.
In a latest statement released and signed by Jigawa PDP through the State Secretary, Hon. Isa Bello Gwadayi, said reference to an earlier press release by the party on this matter. the party, after due consultation with various segments of the party. wishes to state as follows:-
PDP leadership has reviewed the guidelines issued by Jigawa SIEC and
observed that the nomination fees, N5 million for Chairmanship and N2 million for the Councillorship are ridiculously exorbitant, especially given the country’s present hardships.
The party therefore, deems the fees unaffordable to members of the opposition parties, the party’s position does not suppress any member with the resources to pay the nomination fees and participate in the elections.
The statement added that, on that note, the party leadership wishes to categorically state that any party member with the financial resources to pay nomination fees as Local Government Chairman or Councilor should come forward and process the purchase of the forms immediately.
“Members of the party who wish to purchase either the Local Government Chairman nomination form or the Councilor Nomination form should immediately consult the Party Chairman of his Local Government”. The statement advised.
According to Jigawa PDP, the party leadership will do everything within its power to ensure that every party member with the financial resources to participate is given maximum cooperation and support to win the election.
Hotpen reports that, the decision of the opposition PDP Jigawa has come at the time the ruling NNPP in Kano state electoral commission fixed N10m for Chairman and N5m for Councillor as form fee who wishes to contest in the fourth coming council’s election in the state.
