The battle towards Edo 2024 has begun and the political atmosphere in Edo State is gathering momentum as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its timetable for the governorship election paving the way for would-be aspirants as they intensify consultations ahead of parties primaries slated for February, 2024.
Meanwhile, the Global President of One Love Foundation, Chief Dr. Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as Ultimate Equal who is a stakeholder in the labour party has called for the Party to reduce the price of the party ticket so that the people who have interest in running can have opportunity to easily exercise their franchise.
In his words, Dr. Eholor said "This already negate article 9(3) of the Labour Party Manifesto which states that every member shall have the right to vote and be voted for into any elective posts, in any organ of the Party, subject to guidelines by the INEC or any organ so designated and in line with Article 9(3) of this constitution."
Eholor further said "Definitely not every member has such amount ₦30,000,000, Labour Party was formed in the year 2002 together with Nigerian Labour Congress, I Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor is not in support of this outrageous Governorship aspirant form that is peg at ₦30,000,000.
"The form is just a paper filled up with questions and answers how can a party like Labour Party be selling it at 30,000,000 this is Labour Party and we must bring politics closer to the people and make them feel belong because without the grassroots people then there is absolutely no politics and besides this is governorship election and not the presidential election, even at that it still does not make any sense. If Labour Party can sell the Governorship form for 30,000,000 it means that Labour Party is no different than every other political party because a person who will likely buy the form at the rate of 30,000,000 it means that when the same wins the election, the first thing to do will be to recover the funds back. Just imagine 30,000,000 going out of the state treasury into one man's purse, then the state is doomed to fail.
"I am calling on Peter Obi and the national chairman, Comrade Julius Abure to call themselves and every other person involved in this approval to call themselves to order because this is not right in any way and I am ready to revolt against this outrageous fee and anyone who cares to join me will be welcome."
According to Premium Times "The party disclosed this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting on Tuesday approved N5 million as the cost of the expression of Interest form and N25 million for the nomination form.
“Arising from the meeting of the National Working Committee of the Labour Party held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, under the chairmanship of Barrister Julius Abure, the leadership of the party took far-reaching decisions as regards the guidelines for the conduct of Congress/Primaries to elect candidates for Edo state gubernatorial election."
However, talking about the Constitution as a guildlines to this course, Dr. Eholor said "My first answer already covers this, that was why the constitution was put together so there can be rules and regulations, again this 30,000,000 already negate article 9(3) of the Labour Party Manifesto and should they proceed without thinking about the constitution it means there will be loopholes in the Party hence division of course we don't want to look like PDP whereby the Deputy Governor is on one side while the Governor is supporting another person and then the party itself is in chaos. You see the bible itself also acknowledges the power of unity hence the word "A House divided cannot stand"
"In the Labour Party there are many rooms for everyone to speak up and unite together so that we can make Nigeria a better place but with this outrageous fee I don't see Labour Party different from other political parties, that is why I'm calling on Peter Obi and our Chairman Barr. Julius Abure to refrain from this in order to accommodate everyone." Dr. Eholor concluded.