As political parties in Plateau gear up for the local government polls slated for February 17, 2018, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has offered free nomination forms for female and disabled aspirants.
The State Organising Secretary of the party, Gwott Yakubu, said on Tuesday in Jos that the gesture was to encourage more women and disable persons to seek elective offices.
“We want to ensure that everyone is being carried along; we do not want quality people to miss out on the chance to serve their communities because they cannot afford the cost of nomination forms,” he said.
He said, however, that chairmanship aspirants would pay N150,000 for the nomination forms, while those seeking to be Councillors would pay N50,000.
Mr Yakubu said that 29 persons had so far indicated interest in contesting the 17 local government chairmanship seats, while 229 others had indicated interest in becoming Councillors.
The PDP official expressed confidence that the party would win the elections, and declared that the incumbency factor enjoyed by the APC, would not affect the party’s chances.
“We are already campaigning; many Nigerians are not satisfied with the performance of the APC government, both at the state and federal levels.
“Plateau roads have become swimming pools. The PDP government started many road projects and commissioned them, but the few not completed have been abandoned, in spite of their relevance.
“In the course of meeting the people, we have found that many of them are angry and ready for change. The PDP is ready to offer that change and shall start from the local government elections,” he said.
The PDP official said that many Nigerians were also angry over the high cost of fuel, foodstuff and other consumable items, and had vowed to use their voter’s cards to effect a positive change.
“PDP is ready to change what the APC has destroyed. We are ready to continue from where we stopped,” he said.
NAN
