The All Progressives Grand Alliance has picked April 14, 2023, for the conduct of its governorship primaries in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.
This is even as the party pegged N15 million for the governorship nomination forms for men, while female aspirants and aspirants living with disability will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.
In a provisional timetable/schedule of activities approved by the National Working Committee of the party led by Chief Victor Oye, there will be a special state congress/primary election for the states to be held in Yenagoa, Owerri and Lokoja, capitals of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States respectively on April 14.
In a statement signed by the National Organizing Secretary of APGA, Ifeanyi Mbaeri, the party said activities leading to the selection of candidates ahead of the elections have been approved by the NWC.
According to Mbaeri, all activities leading to the primary election, including sale and return of expression of interest and nomination forms, screening of prospective governorship aspirants and ward congresses for the election of ad-hoc delegates will be conducted between February 28 and March 29.
“Pursuant to its powers under Articles 12 (3) and 24 of the APGA constitution 2019, and in strict compliance with the INEC Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states governorship elections, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) has approved the provisional Timetable/Schedule of Activities for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States Governorship Primary Elections 2023,” the statement read in part.
Sale and return of expression of interest and nomination forms will last from February 28 to March 14 at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja while screening of aspirants and appeals resulting from the screening exercise will hold on March 17 and 21 respectively, according to Mbaeri.
“Also ward congresses for the election of ad-Hoc delegates per ward to be held across the Local Government Areas of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States will hold on March 29, 2023,” the statement further read.
Mbaeri further said that the resolution of appeals and disputes arising from the primary elections will be dispensed on April 16, 2023.
However, the organizing secretary added the party has the discretion to issue nomination forms to eligible aspirants even before the date fixed for the primary elections.
“All intending aspirants should ensure strict compliance with the stipulated directives and the party’s electoral guidelines for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi State Primary Elections 2023.
“The dates specified are subject to change. Consequently, given the vagaries of the primary election process, the party reserves the right to make adjustments/changes to the dates specified in accordance with INEC Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States governorship election,” Mbaeri added.