April 20, (THEWILL) – The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has adopted May 30 to June 1 as dates for its “special convention” for Presidential Primaries.
Spokesperson of the party, Felix Morka, disclosed this at the end of the 11th NEC emergency meeting, held on Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
The ruling party scheduled the governorship primaries for May 18, the States House of Assembly primaries to hold on May 20, the House of Representatives to take place May 22, and Senate May 24, 2022.
The party also adopted an indirect primary to choose its candidates for the 2023 general elections.
The decision was part of proposals by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, which was ratified by the NEC on Wednesday.
THEWILL had reported that the NWC had met for several hours on Tuesday, to deliberate on several issues including the mode of primary, timetable for the general election primaries.
A top party source said the much rumoured consensus option earlier proposed was rejected by many of the Presidential aspirants, forcing the NWC to recommend the indirect primary to avoid possible implosion of party members after the primaries.
So far, about 10 aspirants have declared interest to be the flag bearer of the party for the 2023 general elections.
Those who have declared interest are ex-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.
Others are Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, his counterpart in Ebonyi, Dave Umahi, former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and others.
Others in the APC, who are rumoured to be nursing Presidential ambitions include Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi; former Ogun state governor Ibikunle Amosun.
THEWILL earlier reported that the party had fixed the cost of its presidential expression of interest and nomination forms at N100 million.
For governors, the party approved N50 million for both nomination and expression of interest, while Senate and House of Representatives aspirants are to pay N20 million and N10 million respectively.
Those for state legislative seats are to pay N2 million for both forms.
Meanwhile, the NEC made a 50 percent discount for candidates less than 40 years and free tickets for women and persons living with disabilities.
The sales of the party form shall commence on April 23 and the primary for the presidential ticket has been scheduled to hold from May 30 to June 1.
President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the party also transmitted their powers to the National Working Committee of the APC to make decisions for a period of 90 days.
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