Labour Party aspirants for the February 22 Edo governorship primary election on Sunday rejected the N30 million charged as fees for Expression of Interest and nomination forms.

One of the aspirants and UK-based financial analyst, Dr Egbe Omorodion, told journalists in Benin City that the governorship aspirants rejected the fee and convened a meeting for Monday to take a stand on the matter.

The LP on January 16 announced a N30 million fee for nomination and expression of interest forms for aspirants vying for the governorship office in the September 21 election.

The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee announced this during its meeting in Abuja.

The NWC further said the commencement of the sale and submission of the forms would be between January 25 and February 11.

It, however, exempted female aspirants from paying for the expression of interest form.

The national leadership of the party also said it would adopt the indirect primary on February 22, to choose its party standard bearer for the governorship poll.

But Mr Omorodion appealed to the national leadership for a reduction of the fee, describing it as outrageous.

He said, I, as an aspirant, am saying that this amount is outrageously ridiculous. I see the move as a strategy to stifle the voices of those who joined LP with a genuine desire to serve the Edo people. If the party’s leadership reduced the fee to N15 million for the Imo election, why can’t it do the same for the Edo election? My appeal is that I don’t think my voice and those of others who believe in my project should be muted by this huge amount. A good number of aspirants and supporters may become disgruntled and may just take a walk if the party leadership refuses to budge.’’

Mr Omorodion, who is the LP Chairman, UK chapter, said his voice and those of numerous supporters might become stifled if the party’s leadership refused to rescind its decision.

The aspirant described himself as eminently qualified to take Edo out of economic quagmire.

He added, “Edo people may be denied the opportunity of my dream and desire to take the state to the next level. Yes, other aspirants are also dissatisfied with the fee. We will be meeting on Monday. Hopefully, we will be able to come up with a position on the matter.’’

(NAN)