The Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has announced its readiness to participate in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for November 2024.
The party’s Caretaker Secretary, Barr. Paul Oladipo Ogunnubi, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting with party leaders at the party secretariat. He stated that the party has finalized plans to ensure its candidates secure victory in the council polls.
According to Ogunnubi, the party’s chairmanship aspirants are required to pay a fee of four hundred thousand naira, N400,000, while female chairmanship aspirants are expected to pay a reduced fee of three hundred thousand naira, N300,000.
He further explained that the N400,000 fee includes N250,000 for the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) as an administrative fee, N100,000 as a nomination fee, and N50,000 for the expression of interest form.
Ogunnubi also noted that all female aspirants, whether for chairmanship or councillorship positions, are exempted from paying the nomination fee.
In preparation for the upcoming local government elections, the party has also outlined a timetable for the ward, local government, and state congresses, which are expected to usher in new executives at various levels of the party’s leadership.
Releasing the timetable, Ogunnubi said “subject to any changes, the Ward Congress will hold 31st August, while the local government and state congresses will hold on the 7th and 14th, September 2024, respectively”.
In his remark, the Chairman Caretaker Committee of the party in the state, Hon. Dada Awoleye noted that the party has reconciled all aggrieved members of the party, as part of move towards wrestling power from the ruling APC at the grassroot.
Awoleye stressed that having gotten the nod of the national secretariat of the party, the congresses that will usher in new leadership of the party in the state will go on seamlessly.
“The Caretaker Committee of PDP in Ogun state decided to call this stakeholders meeting in order to have interaction with all members of PDP and to know the state of the affairs of the party.
“From what we have seen today, we discovered that, there are no much problems, than some members saying they were not allowed to register and which the national body of our party has directed us to ensure that they get registered.
“So we have been able to do that because our constitution allows periodic registration, and part of our responsibility is to carry out the congresses at all levels from the ward, the local government and the state. Who are to see to the day-to-day running of the party.
“PDP, which is a very large family. So our duty is to ensure that we bring everybody together, under one closed group.
“We are happy that members have resolved to work together for the progress of the party.
“Critical stakeholders
have been called, and all the highlighted issues have been resolved. I can tell you, the issue is not more than what are we called inclusivity? Some people believe they have not been having inclusiveness in the affairs of the party, and to a very large extent, even the outgone Exco have tried a lot to bring everyone together.
“Yes, I can tell you from the look of things in Ogun state, people want PDP back to government at whatever level, whether local government or the state government. So this is even going to be a test case.
“I can tell you if APC should go by way of free, fair, and transparent elections in Ogun state, PDP is going to win. If the OGSIEC should go by way of free and fair election today, PDP, I can tell you, will win so many local governments and wards.