By Akanimo Sampson
All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are currently smiling to the bank with huge cash flowing into their coffers in Anambra State.
The two leading political parties have so far raked in a combined total of N423.5 million from the sale of nomination forms for the November 6, 2021 Governorship poll in the state.
Sixteen PDP aspirants comprising of 13 males and three females account for a total of N356 million while the only three aspirants who have paid and obtained APC forms account for N67.5 million.
igures were arrived at after putting together amounts paid by aspirants in each of the two political parties.
The opposition PDP pegged its expression of interest form at N1 million, compliance form N5 million and nomination form, N20 million bringing the total amount paid by each of its 13 male aspirants at N26 million.
When put together, the male aspirants paid N338 million. The three female aspirants were exempted from the paying the N20 million nomination fee.
They each paid N6 million being the cost of expression of interest and compliance forms. The total amount paid by the women was N18 million.
Aspirants who paid for and obtained the PDP forms include: Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; Senator Uche Ekwunife; Chris Azubuogu; Wintson Udeh; Valentine Ozigbo; Godwin Ezeemo and Emeka Atiaba (SAN).
Others include: Mrs. Genevieve; Chidi Onyemelekwe; Godwin Maduka; Ekwochi; Tony Nwoye; Ifedi Okwenna; Ugochukwu Uba; and Walter Okeke.
For APC, only three aspirants have so far paid for and obtained the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms being sold for N22.5 million. Put together, APC has so far garnered N67 million.
Those who have so far obtained APC forms are: Senator Andy Uba, Dr. George Moghalu and an aspirant whose identity was yet to ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
While the sale of forms has ended in the PDP, that of the APC is still on sale.When contacted, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said, “Our party is a well-structured and organised platform.
“Nigerians know this as you can also testify, we have concluded the sale of nomination forms for the Anambra Governorship election and arrangements are in top gar for our primary to elected a standard bearer.”
A Gombe State chieftain of APC, Abdullahi Jalo, is however of the opinion that APC was not only well organised but prepared to win the forth coming Anambra governorship election.
“PDP is free to engage in wishful thinking. The APC is now more than ever before the party of choice for not only the people of Anambra State but Nigeria as a whole. PDP should concern themselves with their internal squabbles and leave APC alone.”
