LP refunds N25m governorship nomination fee paid by deceased aspirant in Imo, drops price to N15m

National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure has said the party will refund N25 million nomination fee paid by a deceased governorship aspirant of the party in Imo State, Humphrey Anumudu to his family.

This is as also the party disclosed that it has slashed the price of its governorship nomination forms to N15 million from the previous fee of N25 million.

Abure who made the disclosure spoke in Abuja, Tuesday after meeting with the party’s National Assembly members-elect on the platform of the party, also assured that the newly elected people will not defect to other political parties.

Leadership of the Labour Party held an interactive strategy session with Senate-elect and House of Representative-elect members at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Tuesday.

According to LP, the session which discussed leadership and working modalities for the incoming legislators was ‘very constructive.’

It would be recalled that the late Chief Humphrey Anumudu had purchased the party’s governorship nomination form to contest the LP primary election ahead of the scheduled November 11 polls in Imo State but died last Friday.

“You will recall that one of our aspirants in Imo State lost his life. I am pleased to announce to members of the public and members of the Labour Party family and his immediate family that the party will refund the nomination fee of N25 million that he spent.

“We feel that we need to do this the support the family and show leadership of compassion, of empathy and that is whet the Labour Party stands for,” Abure said.

Confirming the reduction in the price of the LP governorship nominations forms, Presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi took to his verified Twitter handle (@PeterObi), late Tuesday, to thank the party leadership ‘for heeding to my appeal, and reviewing the nomination fee for the governorship form downwards to N15m.’

“I thank the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure, and the NWC for heeding to my appeal, and reviewing the nomination fee for the governorship form downwards to N15m.

“I applaud them for also agreeing to refund the cost of the form to the family of a deceased aspirant Chief Humphrey Anumudu from Imo State; and also agreeing to refund N10m to each of those that had paid.

“These gestures, reflect Labour Party’s responsiveness to the yearnings of Nigerians. –PO”

It would also be recalled that earlier Monday, the camp of Obi had frowned at the fee the Labour Party was charging for its governorship forms, which it described as ‘exorbitant.’

Spokesperson for the Peter Obi campaign Council, Mr Kenneth Okonkwo said the fee will not stand.

According Okonkwo, who disclosed this via his Twitter page, Monday, the Labour Party’s constitution frowned at any action that would constitute a hindrance to the participation of any Nigerian in governance at any level.

“It has been brought to our notice that the Labour Party is charging N25milion as nomination fee for gubernatorial aspirants.

“The general public should be rest assured that the Labour Party will not go the way of the old order.

“The Party’s Constitution frowns at any action that will constitute a hindrance to the participation of any Nigerian in governance at any level.

“N25m is exorbitant and will not be encouraged. Article 8(h) of the Labour Party Constitution states, “To broaden participation in governance at all levels by ensuring that the costs of the electoral process do not constitute hindrance to any Nigerian.

“A new Nigeria is possible and we must continue in that trajectory. The Party will find an acceptable nomination fee for the people of Nigeria. We prefer honest and competent leadership to money bags.”