2019: 123 aspirants jostle for 30 PDP gov slots

Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

One hundred and twenty-three aspirants have purchased nomination and expression of interest forms to contest governorship primaries in the Peoples Democratic Party, investigations by our correspondent have revealed.

The figure was arrived at after the close of sales of forms by the party at its national secretariat in Abuja on Monday.

Though the breakdown of the figure was not available as of press time on Tuesday, the number of the aspirants that picked forms would contest the governorship primaries in 30 states.

Governorship elections are not due to hold in six other states in 2019.

The states are Anambra, Bayelsa, Ondo, Kogi, Ekiti and Osun.

Governorship election is scheduled to hold in Osun State on Saturday.

Each of the aspirants paid the sum of N6m to pick the PDP forms.

With this, the party made a total sum of N728m from the sales of nomination and expression of interest forms to the 123 governorship aspirants.

Also, the party sold its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms to 13 aspirants.

Each of the aspirants paid N12m to the party to get the form.

In all, the party was said to have made a total of N156m from the sales of the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms.

Our correspondent gathered that the party was still collating the names of other aspirants like senatorial,  House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly to know the exact total of aspirants that bought forms.

Meanwhile, the party has formally ended the sale and submission of its nomination forms.

Before the final seal was placed on it, the party had earlier extended the sale twice.

It had extended the sale from September 6 to 10, before shifting it to Monday.

Nevertheless, the party said it would hold its presidential primary on October 5 and 6 in  Port Harcourt,  Rivers State.

The screening of the aspirants is to hold between September 20 and  24.

The party will also hold its governorship primary in the 30 states on October 3.

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