From Joseph Asegba, Yola
Following the release of the guidelines for the conduct of local government elections in Adamawa State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) announced 50% discount of sales of forms to interested aspirants.
The All Progressive Congress (APC), African Action Congress and the Adamawa Women have vowed and strategies to join the race with the counterparts males in the July local government election in the state.
The PDP state party chairman, Barr. A T Shehu disclosed this in a press conference on the arrangement of the party activities for the forthcoming local government elections at the party secretariat in Yola.
The party chairman said in line with Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission timetable, the PDP had fixed 7th-12th of June for the sale of forms of the position of Chairmanship and Councillorship, sales for Adhoc delegate form is slated on 10th June,submission of completed forms will be on 13th-14th June.
He equally said screening of aspirants will also take place on 15th-16th June,nomination of three Adhoc delegates by Party Congress will be on 17th June while display of screened aspirants will hold 19th June.
And after all are done, hearing of appeals will be on 20th June, Councillorship primary election takes place 21st June while Chairmanship primary will be on 22nd June and hearing of primary elections appeal if any will be on 23rd of June.
This, Barr. A T Shehu also revealed the cost of the Chairmanship form at N9m, form of interest will cost N100, 000 and the cost of Councillorship form is N100,000, form of interest N20, 000.
The PDP working committee vowed non favouritism exercise, insisting the party has no anointing candidates, and the committee is working to ensure equal level playing ground for all”
Therefore, it is on this note that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress , APC, Adamawa State Chapter under the leadership of Barr Idris Shuaibu have expressed their readiness in the participate in the scheduled local government area elections announced by the state independent elections commission.
The State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Mohammed Abdullahi in a statement informing the entire APC family and the general public that the party will participate in the Local Governments Election scheduled for 13th July, 2024 headlong.
According to the statement, the Cost of Expression of Interest /Nomination forms and other details will be released soonest.
While on their part, the African Action Congress (AAC) Adamawa State Chapter, and led by Mallam Shafiq Sale, who announced its full readiness to participate in the upcoming local government area elections. which is scheduled for July 13, 2024, recently announced by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC).
In interview, the state publicity secretary Aliyu Umar Doubli confirmed the AAC’s participation and informed the AAC family and the general public about their plans, emphasizing that the party is prepared to engage in the elections with all vigor.
He also said the cost of expression of interest and Nomination forms, along with other pertinent details, will be communicated in due course.
He highlighted that the AAC is the only principle party that will waive the masses’ tears, reinforcing their dedication to grassroots engagement and inclusivity.
The AAC’s declaration of readiness marks a significant step towards the July LGA elections, reflecting their commitment to providing robust political alternatives in Adamawa State”
Similarly the women fold vow on the sidelines of a one day strategic stakeholder implementation meeting organized by Garga foundation with support from Supporting Electoral Accountability and Transparency (SEAT) program in Yola by thanked Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his wisdom in given the women the needed latitude to succeed in politics by choosing their own, Professor Kaletapwa G Farauta as his deputy and appointing another woman as the Chief Judge of the state.
Making the call as a reality on behalf of Adamawa women in politics, leader of the women, Hajiya Zainab Sa’idu said, women are rightly suited to occupy high and sensitive political offices because of their sensitivity towards the rights of every member of the society.
She said, “like men, women are repositories of wisdom, foresight, high intellect and spiritedness and have what it takes to lead their communities by virtue of their profound achievements in all areas of human endeavor.
Sa’idu cited an example with the state deputy governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Hafsat Abdurrahman whom she described as a shining examples of women Sa’idu expressed optimism that if given such opportunities, women would definitely prove their mettle, dexterity and awesome leadership capabilities.
Noted that women of Adamawa are braced to ensure the total attainment of the affirmative action by coming out en masse to participate in the electoral process urging all stakeholders to follow the governor’s footsteps by supporting the women to attain such noble goals.
While appreciating Fintiri for recognizing the role and place of women in the society Sa’idu said, “Adamawa State governor is the only governor with female as deputy governor and a woman as Chief Judge.
“We are proud that this time around we want to complete the 35 percent affirmative action. Women in politics in Adamawa State want governor Fintiri to wipe away our tears because we’ve suffered during campaign for the government.
“If we cannot get chairman then vice chairmen. So that what the governor started will be completed. We are grateful we appreciate the gesture of the governor but we want more. We want more women in positions of vice chairmen. We will seriously advocate for that because women are prepared to take responsibilities.
On his part is the mobilization officer of Garga foundation, Aminu Adamu said the goal of organizing the workshop is to provide women into participating in electoral processes as women have been seriously left behind.
He further noted that. a lot of factors including cultural and socio-economic challenges have been identified to be some of the major stumbling blocks for women participation in politics.
“No doubt our women are being marginalized in the political processes therefore we convene this meeting with women leaders from various local governments of the state to chart a way forward with the intention to ensure that women participated in the forth coming local government election and even the general election.
“We expect a lot from their end because we have impacted knowledge on them on how to sensitize the grassroot during the upcoming election. We gave them the encouragement on how to navigate through all the obstacles and challenges.
“We also want them to send the same message at the grassroot by creating awareness so that they will have the courage to participate in the coming election,” he said.
LG polls: Adamawa PDP pegs N10m for chair, N120,000 for councillor forms.