TheCable

The Labour Party says it has reduced the cost of the nomination forms for the off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states from N25 million to N15 million.

The party had come under fire on social media for pegging its gubernatorial nomination and expression of interest form at N25 million.

Nigerians referred to the cost as “outrageous” despite the party having stood against the exorbitant amounts charged by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In response, Kenneth Okonkwo, the party’s spokesperson, had tweeted: “Labour Party is the party of the Nigerian people but we have to be realistic. The party needs money too to run its activities. What do you think should be the appropriate nomination fee for the gubernatorial aspirants? I recall how costly our campaign was with our hired jet.”

Subsequently, Julius Abure, LP national chairman, while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, said the party decided to reduce the cost after reviewing the complaints.

He said the decision was reached after consulting with Peter Obi, the party’s national leader and presidential candidate.

“We have reviewed all the complaints about the high costs of nomination fees by the party in terms of nomination forms for the governorship election in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states,” he said.

“I am pleased to announce to you that the nomination fees have been reduced from N25 million to N15 million.

“We have always been a listening party, we believe that this party is propelled and owned by the people.

“Therefore, for us, the leaders of this party, we shall always ensure that we listen to the yearnings and aspirations of our people and provide leadership by example.”

He said the nomination fee paid by Humphrey Anumudu, the party’s deceased aspirant in Imo, would be refunded to his family to show leadership of compassion and empathy.

While congratulating the just-elected senators and house of representatives members of the party, Abure said the party would continue in its desire to take back Nigeria and redeem it from the shackles of poverty, hunger, and unemployment, among others.

“We must put on record here that all those who were elected on the platform of the party either to the house of representatives or as senators are well responsible and dedicated to the party.

“For us to continue to provide quality leadership, we will continue to consult and we believe that they are men of integrity, they are women of high repute.

“I am sure they are also aware of the basis on which they were elected, they rode on the back of the people to the position where they are today.

“We shall continue to pursue these causes on behalf of Nigerians and we believe very strongly that the new Nigeria is still possible.

“We use this opportunity to make it very clear that we will go after all those who stole the mandate that was freely given to us by Nigerians on Feb. 25th and take them over lawfully.

“These include which was stolen alongside other mandates either at the level of states governorship or the level of state houses of assembly or the National Assembly.”