The fixing of the forthcoming chairmanship and councillorship elections into the 31 local government councils of the state for October 31, this year by Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) has thrown up challenging tasks for different political parties to work harder in fielding their candidates.
In particular, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holding fort various elective levels in the state is not leaving any stone unturned during the forthcoming elections.
Consequently, the State Working Committee of the party has issued preparatory information sequel to the proclamation of elections and the publication of guidelines for Local Government elections by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission.
“The information signed by Chairman of the Party, Obong Paul Ekpo is in compliance with the provisions of the constitution of our great party, the State Working Committee has approved the following timelines,” a press release stated.
Timelines: July 23-25 – Sale of nomination forms; July 26 – End of sale of nomination forms; July 27-28 – Screening of aspirants; July 29 – Appeal; August 4 – Ward Congresses; and August 6 Chapter Congresses
The press release signed by the outgoing state publicity secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien advises “Those seeking to purchase the forms should go to the Party Secretariat at 113 Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.”
For the councillorship position, an aspirant is expected to cough out N100,000 for the Expression of Interest Form and N500,000 for the PDP Nomination Form, bringing the total amount to N600,000. This excludes the N150,000 Tax Clearance which will be paid to Internal Revenue Service.
For the chairmanship position, an aspirant is to pay N250,000 on Expression of Interest Form and N2,750,000 for the PDP Nomination Form, summing up to N2,750,000. This excludes the N150,000 Tax Clearance which will be paid to Internal Revenue Service.
However, the party is expected to rake in not less than N282,650,000 from the sale of nomination forms to prospective chairmanship and councillorship aspirants.
Assuming 31 chairmanship aspirants collect the form, the party is expected to realise N85,250,000 from the sale of forms.
Assuming 329 councillorship aspirants from the electoral wards in the state collect the party’s nomination forms, the party would make N197,400,000 from the sale of forms, all things being equal.
Meanwhile, Obong Paul Ekpo, the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Akwa Ibom State chapter, has suspended sales of form for Councillorship and Chairmanship aspirants in the forthcoming local government elections.
A press release signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, the outgoing State Publicity Secretary of the party said “This suspension is to allow our organizing secretariat to sort out some technical issues relating to the process.
“The resumption of sale will be announced soon. Inconveniences are deeply regretted,” the release added.
