The simmering pot of the Edo State governorship election just got a healthy dose of spice, courtesy of Nollywood actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo.
In a fiery statement released Tuesday via his X account, Okonkwo unleashed a scathing criticism of the Labour Party’s hefty N30 million nomination fee for aspirants seeking the party’s ticket.
Okonkwo, who himself harbors gubernatorial ambitions, branded the exorbitant fee as “insensitive and ill-advised,” raising concerns about the party’s commitment to inclusivity and grassroots representation. His stinging commentary resonated with many Nigerians, particularly young aspirants and those with less financial clout, who see the N30 million barrier as a blatant attempt to keep out the ordinary citizen.
He said, “The decision by the Labour Party to fix its Edo State governorship nomination form fee at N30m is simply excessive, objectionable, and unacceptable. This is towing the line of the failed and corrupt APC and PDP. Nomination fee by a party, which is meant to be a party for ordinary workers, and which the ordinary workers can not afford is insensitive and ill-advised.
“The Labour Party should retrace its step now to avoid being classified in the same category with the old Nigeria political parties.”
LP had announced that interested aspirants in the party’s ticket for Edo State would pay N30 million for nomination and expression of interest forms. The party also fixed February 22 for the conduct of the primary election.
