By Lukman Olabiyi
The Youth Party is set to conduct its primary elections in preparation for the Edo and Ondo States gubernatorial election slated for September 21 and November 16, 2024 in line with the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guideline.
Already, the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has issued guidelines for the conduct of the primaries in conformity with the INEC guidelines.
A statement by the party’s acting National Publicity Secretary, Ayodele Adio, stated that a fool-proved system had been put in place to ensure that there would be no systems failure on the day of the election.
He stated that female aspirants and persons with disabilities (PWD) shall pay 50 percent (half ) of the prescribed nomination fee, while Youth between the ages of 25 to 40 years shall also pay 50 percent (half ) of the prescribed nomination fee.
A timetable and schedule of activities revealed that, the Party fixed January 15, to February 20th, 2024, for the sales of nomination and expression of interest forms.
It stated that the schedule of activities was in compliance with the Electoral Act (2010) (as amended) and the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guideline.
The statement reads in part: “Kindly note that the primaries as stated above will be conducted on the basis of One Member One Vote (OMOV); no delegates or super delegates. All party members are entitled to vote. Our Nomination Forms are affordable. Voting will be innovative and convenient as we are adopting electronic means: online and SMS. It will be secured, monitored by candidates and INEC, and secret as required by the law. The guidelines for the primaries are open and accessible for transparency. The members’ list/voters list for each constituency or elective position will be available to all aspirants without discrimination.
“The Party is committed to expanding the democratic space by providing a level playing field for all aspirants on its platform. We encourage anyone who aspires to contest in a free and fair primaries to join the Party at www.youthpartyng.com/join-movement/. Likewise, persons interested in voting for a candidate of their choice in a party primaries without fear or favour, are encouraged to join the Party. The Party preaches transparent political leadership and followership that frowns at money politics, bribery, violence, ‘short termism’, repression and corruption.”
The party pegged its cost of expression of interest form for Governor at N5,000,000 and norminattion form at N20,000,000.
The party stated that voting would be carried out online and by Short Message Service, SMS, and would be monitored by candidates and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).