On Wednesday, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party screened aspirants for the Senate, Federal House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly.
Aspirants for the Senate and Federal House of Representatives were screened at the Regency Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, while those for the State House of Assembly were screened at the White House Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to a statement signed by the party’s Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, on April 19, 2022, aspirants for the Senate were asked to pay an administrative fee of N350,000, while those aspiring for the Federal House of Representatives were charged N200,000.
Candidates for the State House of Assembly were asked to pay N50,000, while candidates for Governor of the State were charged N500,000.
The aspirants who arrived at the venues as early as 9am were asked to provide proof of payment of the administrative fee charged by the party, which they did.
This was despite a warning by former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, against such payment.
In a statement he personally signed, George said, “I hereby warn all our aspirants to be vigilant and not to pay any illegal fees. The act of extortion being embarked upon by the Lagos Exco should be shunned and ignored.
“I equally warn the Exco not to extort our party members. They are to pay only fees that are legal.”