Re: PDP approves election timetable, pegs Presidential Nomination and EoI Forms -By Augustina Onuoha

PDP approves election timetable, pegs Presidential Nomination and EoI Forms at N40 million

Are women are again disenfranchised, structurally and technically edged out? –Adesanya-Davies

Or Is it all a game of the Capitalist once again? -Adesanya-Davies

In a report by AgencyReport on March 16, 2022, “The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the party’s guidelines, timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general elections.

“The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this while reading the communique issued at the end of the 95th NEC meeting of the party in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr. Ologunagba said the NEC also approved N40 million for nomination and expression of interest forms for the presidential election.

He said the decision was taken after extensive deliberations on issues of urgent national importance as well as preparations for the 2023 general elections.

“In preparations for the 2023 General Elections, NEC approved the PDP Electoral Guidelines for the conduct of primary elections

“NEC approved the timetable and schedule of activities of the PDP for the 2023 general elections.

“The following amounts for the forms were approved by NEC:

“State House of Assembly -Expression of Interest at N100,000 and Nomination Form at N500,000.

“House of Representatives- Expression of Interest -N500,000; Nomination Form-N2,000,000.

“For the Senate: Expression of Interest -N500,000, Nomination Form N3,000,000.

“Governorship – expression of interest – N1,000,000, while Nomination Form is N20,000,000.

“President- Expression of Interest form-N5,000,000 and nomination form – N35,000,000,” he said.

He disclosed that NEC also approved a 50 per cent reduction in nomination fees for youth of age 25 years to 30 years for various elective positions.

“NEC also approved the commencement of sale of expression of interest and nomination forms from Thursday, March 17, 2022,” he said.

However, speaking on the inclusion of women in the 2023 elections for the women community in PDP and Nigeria at large to our Correspondent at RachamReporters in an Interview, Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies deduced that,

“If the purchase of Expression of Interest form (EoI) has now increased from N1000 to N5000 in PDP, for presidency for an instance, unlike in 2019, that means, women are again disenfranchised, structurally and technically edged out. Or is it all a game of the capitalist once again? She asks?”

She infers, “This is because, last week when I was asked,
“DO YOU THINK NIGERIA HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS?”

I had replied, “The only area in which Nigeria has been majorly supportive and majorly encouraging to the women folk is in BUYING OF POLITICAL FORM, such that, the Nomination form is free for all women in all political parties at all levels, while all they need to pay for is the Expression of interest form, which isn’t cheap either for the women, any way but quite commendable.

But now, we are even more disappointed. However, we are pleased the Youths are now to make half payments for the purpose of their forms. That’s commendable!”

Furthermore, Mr. Ologunagba added that the party also approved the establishment of a 37-member Zoning Committee to make recommendations for the zoning of various elective positions for the 2023 general elections. She says, “We shall all respect and trust and comply with the perogative of the committee.”

The PDP spokesperson, who said the committee had two weeks to submit its reports, noted that the committee members would be drawn from states.

Mr. Ologunagba said the NEC expressed confidence in the ability of the NWC to lead PDP to win the presidential election, majority of state governors as well as majority of seats in the National and State Assemblies. She says, “YES O!”

Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, Presidential Candidate of Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA) in the 2019 election; a frontline presidential aspirant, the only Amazon in the 2023 Presidential race on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agreed as,

“PDP NEC strongly condemned the issue of corruption and insensitivity resulting in worsening insecurity and agonising economic hardship by the current government in the country, speaking on the state of the nation. Says, “it’s in fact, could never be worse.

She again is in agreement that, NEC as well condemned corruption in government which was responsible for the excruciating fuel crisis and collapse of national grid that crippled economic and social activities in the country.

She exclaims, “Whatsmore, our state of economy, no job for the youths and no food on our tables. The roads are something else, with increasing high cost of flights and very poor electricity, no fuel even for generators let alone the vehicles… Oh, Nigeria we hail thee! Dear native land!”

Lastly, she also observes it’s remarkable that, “NEC noted that Nigerians are now looking up to the PDP for solution and as such urged all Party members to remain united in the PDP’s mission to Rescue and Rebuild our country from the misrule of the APC,” and so shall it be by the special grace of God Almighty, come 2023, she added.

Generally, in our words, Problems of women’ participation in Nigerian politics could be summarised as follows: The problem of an African woman being looked down upon. Stereo typing of women to certain social roles in the society. Religious bias especially in Northern Nigeria. There is no women to woman support.There are not enough HeForShe mobilisation for women support. Politics is money and funding are denied women due to lack of trust they could win.