The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed its action plan leading up to the Edo State governorship election. The timetable, officially signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, was made public on Thursday following a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

As outlined in the timetable, the pivotal party congress, determining the gubernatorial candidate, is set to take place on February 22, 2024. Aspirants vying for the governorship position are required to obtain the nomination form at a fee of N21 million. Notably, there is a 50 percent discount on nomination form fees for youths aged between 25 and 30.

Commencing from November 16 and concluding on December 7, the schedule includes the registration period for both existing and new party members. By December 14, the ward register must be submitted to the Directorate of Organisation and Mobilisation, while a stakeholders’ consultative meeting with the National Working Group is scheduled for December 19-20.

Key dates in January 2024 include the sale of expression of interest and ad-hoc forms for all offices from January 10-16, with the final day for the submission of completed forms set for January 17. The screening of aspirants for the governorship position by the National Working Committee is slated for January 18.

Subsequently, the sale of nomination forms for those who completed and submitted their expression of interest forms is scheduled for January 19-25, and the deadline for submission of completed nomination forms is January 27.

The governorship primary is scheduled for February 22, with an appeal process set for February 24. This comprehensive timetable provides a roadmap for the PDP’s activities in the lead-up to the critical Edo State governorship election.