…As presidential form costs N100m
From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday in Abuja, held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in attendance.
The meeting, which was held at the Hilton Hotel, located in Maitama, Abuja, also had in attendance, the national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the party states chairmen and their governors, the Senate President, the Speaker of House of Representatives and other members of the National Assembly among other party officials.
President Buhari, in his address at the meeting, called on all the leaders of the party, both at the national and state levels, against imposing unpopular candidates as the 2023 general elections is fast approaching.
According to him, such act or dictatorial behaviour has cost the party to lose many strategic seats in the past.
The president also enjoined the leaders of the party to be guided by its principles and rules, most especially in the area of corruption.
While thanking those aspirants who decided to withdraw their position during the party National Convention recently, he also called on the national chairman of the party and his team to double their efforts and ensure that they work hard in order for the party to win next year’s general elections.
Earlier in his remarks, the national chairman of the party, Senator Adamu had warned its members to desist from any act or behaviour that would destroy its image but to work as one family for its progress and success in the next year’s elections.
He noted that the problem and the crisis in the party were fuelled by ego, urging serving governors to work in partnership and harmony with their former governors.
He pointed out that some of them are now Senators to resolve many of the inherent challenges facing the party.
Speaking on behalf of the APC governors, the chairman, Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu reassured President Buhari and the party members of their total support and commitment for its progress and success in all the 22 states of the APC.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Senate President, Alhaji Ahmad Lawal and the Speaker of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, have assured of the National Assembly’s support to the realization of the mandate of the party.
Addressing newsmen immediately after the meeting, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka gave the resolution they reached at the end.
“Today after the 11th National Executive Committee meeting, the party has fixed N100 million as the cost for its 2023 Presidential aspirants to obtain form while the governorship ticket will be purchased at N50 million,” he stated.
Breaking further he said, the party’s forms for Senate aspirants would cost N20 million, while for the House of Representatives, would also be purchased at N10 million and State House of Assembly, N2 million only.
He however said that for party female aspirants and persons with disability aspirants are to purchase the expression of interest form, while nomination forms would be free for each position.
He further said that youth between the ages of 25 and 40 years are to purchase expression of interest form with 50 per cent discount, while the nomination form is free for each position.
Mr. Morka further explained that the sale of forms to aspirant would commence from tomorrow to Friday, May 6, 2022.
For the party’s presidential primaries, he said, they would hold between Monday, May 30 and Wednesday June 1, this year, while primaries for governorship would be held on Wednesday, May 18 of the same year.`
