Abigail Akpa
With the financial difficulties posed by the high cost of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms, many aspirants for elective positions under the party, in a desperate move to ease the financial burden, have resorted to getting groups to purchase the forms for them. This however, is not the case with Chief Philip Agbese, a leading aspirant for the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu (also known as Enone) Federal Constituency of Benue state position.
Philip Agbese, a London-trained lawyer, who doubles as the CEO of TheNigerian News, has disclosed his readiness to purchase his own expression of interest and nomination forms for the federal House of Representatives position for himself. Reacting to the offer from many groups and charitable organizations to purchase the form for him, Chief Philip Agbese said, “i came fully prepared for the task to provide leadership for our people and part of that preparation will be demonstrated when I personally pick my form today”.
“To this end i want to thank all my compatriots who have shown interest in purchasing the form for me. I appreciate your efforts and show of love”.
Recall that the 11th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which held last Wednesday, pegged the form for presidential position at N100million, Governorship at N50million, Senate at N20million, House of Reps at N10million while the state assembly is N2million. The NEC also approved free forms for female aspirants for every position and also slashed the cost of the forms for youths who are below the age of 40years by 50%.
The high cost of the forms has involuntarily pruned down the number of persons who earlier showed interests in contesting for different positions on the platform of the APC across the country.
However, for the Ado/Okpokwu/Agbadibo federal constituency seat, there is no going back for Chief Philip Agbese who believes strongly that there is no price that cannot be paid to offer purposeful and people-oriented representation to the good people of Enone federal constituency.
While acknowledging the offers from many persons and groups, which had previously benefited from his goodwill, to purchase the form for him, Chief Philip Agbese, believes it is time for him to make sacrifices and show convincing willingness to serve the people. “I believe very strongly that for a position i have willingly aspired to selflessly, for the benefit of our people, i must first show faith in myself before inviting you all to join me on the historic task to liberate our constituency from the clutches of bad, self-centered and ineffective Representation”, – he noted
Philip Agbese, popular known by his traditional title, Okanga Agila, is expected to pick his form for the House of Representatives position once the forms are on sale at the Blantyre street federal secretariat of the APC.
