The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raked in over N1.3 billion from the selling of expression of interest and nomination forms to aspirants for Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states’ governorship elections slated for November.
The APC pegged the forms at N50m and sold them at its national headquarters in Abuja between February 15 and 22, according to a schedule of activities signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu.
In Kogi, many aspirants across the three senatorial zones sprang up with each of them promising to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Those eyeing Bello’s seat are Abdukareem Jamiu; Dr Sanusi Ohiare; James Faleke; Ahmed Ododo; Salami Deedat; Shuaibu Audu; Yakubu Oseni; the Accountant General of the state, Momoh Jibril; Yusuf Okala and the Commissioner for Fnance, Ashiru Idris.
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Others are Edward Onoja, Stephen Ocheni, Abubakar Achimugu, Idachaba Friday, Salaudeen Abdulkudus, David Jimoh, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Muritala Ajaka and Halima Alfa.
In Bayelsa, our correspondents report that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, Ogbomade Johnson, Joshua Maciver, Barrister Daumiebi Sunday Festus, Prof (Mrs) Ongobi Maureen and Lyon Pereworimini David are in the race.
Meanwhile, there are concerns for Sylva as some stakeholders say he must resign before the poll.
While the Bayelsa election is slated for November, the pundits say Sylva has enough time to resign before the poll.
In Imo, Governor Hope Uzodimma is seeking re-election on the APC’s platform. Similarly, another aspirant, Juliet Awa Obasi, is contesting against the governor.
Daily Trust reports that the APC has no valid date for its primaries yet.
In the schedule of activities for the elections signed by the National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, the party had slated April 10, for the primaries.
However, the April 10, date for the primary has been postponed on the grounds that it coincides with Easter Monday, Daily Trust was hinted yesterday.
Sources within the ruling party told our correspondents that the National Working Committee (NWC) would meet and fix a new date for the primaries.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, confirmed to one of our correspondents in a telephone chat yesterday that the party was yet to fix a new date for the primaries.
Meanwhile, the APC commenced the screening of aspirants for the three elections during the weekend.
By Saawua Terzungwe (Abuja) Tijani Labaran (Kogi) & Jude Aguguo Owuamanam (Owerri)
