Wakil Oyedemi, lawyer and senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo central has said that the expensive nomination form of his party will not prevent him from contesting.
The Oyo-born politician, in a statement made available to OYOINSIGHT.COM titled APC’s Expensive Nomination Form: Funny Feelings And Why Looking Back Is Not An Option, explained that people like him can afford the form but that those who are not as elevated as he and others should always be given consideration.
This newspaper recalls that the party had fixed fee nomination form for senatorial aspirant at N20,000,000.
But Oyedemi, in the statement, said, “Around this date in June 2018, members of my core Think Tank called me to discuss potential finances regarding purchase of forms and their fear. The rumor was that the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the Senate would cost about N3.5m, going by the history. When I asked what the cost for the entire primary would be, we added a few more millions of Naira. I could see palpable apprehension even in the eyes of men who are veterans of Nigerian politics. I allayed their fears that we will be okay.
“The following morning, I was on the way to Abuja when one of our key leadership called me and said APC had decided to sell the two forms in the total sum of about N8.5m. That was N5m more than the party’s information the night before. Then we had another emergency meeting – all about the cost of forms. Everyone of my team leaders expressed their opinions and asked how I felt, I could see genuine feelings about funding, considering nonstop expenses since we started the journey in late 2016/early 2017. When they were done, I uttered few words and made it clear that, I wasn’t bothered at all and that we must forge ahead. We had gone far, we felt good about victory and looking back was not an option.
“My reasoning was very simple. I had ideas that will propel my people forward. I had acquired education and experience that had made me shine in my profession in a foreign land and for which I had uplifted many at home, most especially educationally – education and experience which I MUST make available for the progress of my people beyond what what my income alone could do. I have a voice on behalf of the average Nigerian which MUST be heard. I had grassroots support which I must not abandon. I made clear that all the sums generating fears within my team was far lesser that what I had spent on verifiable scholarship on kids I may never meet. I opined that other challenges could wait. We soldiered on and we thank God we are still standing. I believe it was worth the efforts.
“Fast forward to April 20, 2022. Those forms now cost N20m. My position remain unchanged from what it was in 2018. We have come far. We have both Royals and average persons’ full support, for all could see the genuineness of our our unmatched loyal and consistent unflinching stand in APC, in good and rough times. I know it is a party that pays back effort with gratitude. Our base remains solid, and I am not for a second in doubt of the coming victory. Most importantly, this is not about me alone.
“But, I am Oyeleru Oyedemi. The God I serve is one of INAH MAH AL USIRI, YUSRAH; WA INA MAH AL USIRI USRAH – for every hardship I have ever suffered, GOD has always followed with tremendous relief. I thank God I have a stable job, one which by God’s grace pays every bill that will ever be thrown at me. How HE does it, only HE knows.
“The question now is, does what applies to me applies to the average person with genuine heart who really want to serve, with a N100m, N70m, N20m, N10m forms price tag. Definitely not!
“In whatever we do, we should consider those who are not as elevated as we are, if we really want to progress as a nation. Putting exorbitant price on nomination forms is really not a good idea. It could debar those who really want to serve, even though it sends strong signals to those who will muddy up the waters in an effort to negotiate for other stuff (that’s part of politics too). To those who really believe in Nigeria with the goal of serving, I pray God will grant you relief.
“As for TEAM OYEDEMI, looking back is not an option. We’ve come very far. We have both Royals and the average person’s support. We forge ahead with renewed strength. Victory is at hand. Most importantly, it’s not about us alone.
“As I think of the average contestant and the average Nigerian, the video below came to my mind. I posted it exactly two years ago. Funny as it is, it fully expresses the thought of the average Nigerian right now regarding APC forms and the challenges of the common man.
“The task ahead is enormous. Yet we must not relent. May GOD uplift Nigeria!!!,” he said.
