Anambra Governorship PDP nomination forms unsold, as aspirants refused to stake N40m

None of the aspirants for the governorship of Anambra State has indicated interest to run on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The disclosure emerged following the deadline for the sale of the party’s N40m expression of interest and nomination forms, per Punch Newspaper report.

The party initially scheduled the sale of forms between February 24 and March 5, with a March 7 deadline for submission.

The Anambra PDP governorship primary is set for April 5, followed by an appeal committee sitting on April 8.

According to the report, an insider in the PDP who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that aspirants are avoiding the party due to internal crises.

The source noted that the ongoing leadership crisis has made aspirants hesitant to invest in the platform.

“As of now, no aspirant has purchased the PDP Anambra governorship nomination forms. They are hesitant due to the party’s instability. The crisis has weakened the party’s influence across different levels, making aspirants cautious about spending such a huge sum,” the source stated.

He further explained that the turmoil, affecting state chapters, zonal bodies, and national organs, has eroded confidence in the party’s ability to conduct a fair primary.

In response to the situation, another party official disclosed that the PDP National Working Committee has revised the election timetable, extending the sale of forms to March 10 to encourage participation.

“The NWC is reviewing the issues, and a revised timetable will be made public before the end of the week. The deadline for purchasing forms has now been extended to March 10,” the source said.

Additionally, a stakeholders’ interactive session with the NWC is scheduled for March 10 at the PDP national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The PDP’s internal troubles have worsened due to a dispute over the National Secretary position, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, battling for the role. The case is scheduled for hearing and judgment at the Supreme Court on March 10.

The situation escalated further after a controversial South-South zonal congress held on February 22, which lacked the approval of PDP governors, creating more divisions within the Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee.