APC rakes in almost £3m as a total of 17 presidential aspirants look to replace Buhari

NIGERIA'S ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has racked in a cool sum of N1.23bn ($2.96m) over the last month as a total of 17 presidential aspirants have purchased the party's nomination form at a whopping cost of  N100m each.

Next year, Nigeria goes to the polls to elect a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari and the battle for the APC ticket has heated up over recent weeks. Several of the party's biggest gladiators have thrown their hats into the ring, including vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Other presidential aspirants include minister of state for education Emeka Nwajiuba, Jigawa State governor Abubakar Badaru, Ebonyi State's Governor Dave Umahi and Kogi State's Governor Yahaya Bello. Others are Senator Rochas Okorocha, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Rotimi Ameachi and Senator Ken Nnamani

A female presidential aspirant, Uju Kennedy, has also picked her forms after paying the sum of N30m as directed by the party, among others. Aspirants that have indicated interest but are yet to pick their forms are, Ekiti State's Governor Kayode Fayemi, Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Hon Dimeji Bankole.

Others contestants include Senator Ahmed Lawan, Governor Ben Ayade, Ihechukwu Dallas Chima, Usman Iwu, Tein Jack-Rich, Adamu Garba and Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Following the array of aspirants that have declared their interest, the APC's national working committee has extended the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms to Tuesday, May 10, 2022.