APC Presidential Ticket: I Had Only N50m Budget For Nomination Form – Ngige

• Backs NEC’s decision as sound, insightful

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Minister for Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige has admitted that the N100 million pegged for the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s expression of interest and nomination forms for next month’s presidential primaries is a shocker that goes way outside his original plans.

This is because the stipulated amount fixed for both forms by the party Leadership is N50 million over his initial budget for prosecuting the project.

However, the former Anambra State governor is not deterred by the whopping amount, maintaining that optimism is high among his supporters to help raise the remaining balance in pursuit of the aspiration.

Importantly, the Minister threw his weight behind the Party’s hierarchy and rejected the claims by critics that the forms are too costly for aspirants, noting that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) that okayed the amount must have done its homework well and had compelling reasons for that decision.

According to him; “That’s what my party NEC fixed. Whether I’m happy with that or not, that is their own postulation. They have done their calculation; they have done their work.

“And Abdullahi Adamu, the chairman, is a very serious man if you know him well. He was my colleague in the governors’ forum and he was my colleague also in the 7th Senate. He’s a very serious-minded person.

“For Adamu to say N100 million, he has seen certain things. I was a party official in PDP unfortunately and a NEC member, so I know the workings of a party. I’m not going to crucify them or say ‘crucify them’.”

Offering further insights on what may have informed the decision, the Presidential aspirant said; “Let me give you a critical example. After the selling of these forms, candidates emerge. When you tell them to contribute to the party, you won’t see them. That’s our experience in PDP, ACN, APC.”

For the Minister, there is absolutely no fuss about the development given that the Party has also taken into account the interest of the youth populace by creating a leeway for them to participate in the process.

He gave kudos to the Party sayings; “And they have done the right thing to encourage the young ones that they have 50 per cent discount. That’s magnanimous enough.”