How AD Unity Convention Gulped N150m
By Olawale Olaleye
Wednesday's national Unity Convention of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) held in Lagos may have gulped not less than N150 (one hundred and fifty ) million, inside sources told THISDAY.
The convention, it was learnt consumed that much because of the mobilisation of delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Though, there were several other capital consuming arrangements at the convention, delegates mobilisation however toped the list.
Unlike last year when the partyspent about N120 (one hundred and twenty) million for the Lagos convention, this year's convention required that much because those who were part of last year's Abuja convention joined in the convention at Onikan stadium.
Sources also informed that such things like the arrangement of the instruments and live band may have cost the party about N300,000 (three hundred thousand) while the stadium arrangement gulped just about N200,000 (two hundred thousand).
THISDAY learnt that though, the party leadership was able to raise that much for the convention because of the commitment of members who were hell bent on bringing the AD impasse to end. The source explained that committed members of the party had contributed immensely to the success of the Wednesday's convention.
Though the source did not rule out the fact that Lagos State government may have bore the largest brunt of the financial commitment being the host state, the total sum was however a collective effort of members.
Besides, such public office holders as senators, members of the House of Representatives, members of the state legislature, and local council chiefs were amongst the class of people levied by the party leadership to be able to raise enough for the successful conduct of the convention. It was also learnt that former governors and other erstwhile office holders of the party were not left out in the levy.
Meanwhile, indication has emerged as to why the Independent National Ele-ctoral Commission (INEC) may finally confer legitimacy on the convention of the party held Wednesday in Lagos. One of the national commissioners who represented INEC at the event, Dr. Mohammed Jumare gave the hint, stressing that a major factor the commission may consider in approving the convention was because there was no parallel convention holding simultaneously.
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