2027 polls: NDC gives concession to women, youths, PWDs

By Jude Opara

Apparently, in an effort to encourage adequate participation in its forthcoming primary elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has granted special waivers to women, youths and Persons living with Disabilities (PWDs) in the acquisition of the expression of interest and nomination forms.

National Secretary of the party, Barr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu in a statement on Friday sad those categories of Nigerians must be given the opportunity to be fully integrated into the electioneering process in Nigeria, in keeping with the NDC’s key policy of carrying every Nigerian along.

Enekweizu, said; “the fact that someone is young and may not be a money bag or is disadvantaged by some physical disabilities should not shut him or her from contributing their quota to nation-building”.

The NDC scribe noted that in most cases women, due to cultural and other inhibitions, have also been largely receiving the short end of the democracy stick; insisting that they need some form of affirmative action to give them the needed push to participate and contest.

According to him, the NDC feels that Nigeria would be short-changing itself if it unwittingly shuts out about 50% of its population, as represented by women, from the democratic process.

Enekweizu reaffirmed that the NDC resolved that all women aspirants on its platform are to pay 50% of the advertised costs of both the expression of interest and nomination forms currently on sale.

Similarly, aspirants aged between 18 years and 35 years are also to pay 50% of the advertised fees, while Persons Living with Disabilities are to pay 25% of the advertised fees.

The statement also clarified that while Presidential, Governorship and National Assembly Forms are to be obtained at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, those for the State Houses of Assembly are to be collected at the party state office in their respective states.