The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the cost of nomination and interest forms for aspirants seeking to contest various political offices under its platform. The fees, which span across presidential, governorship, and legislative positions, are among the highest seen in recent political cycles in Nigeria.
According to the party’s disclosure, aspirants interested in contesting for the office of the President will be required to pay a total of ₦200 million for the nomination and expression of interest forms. This makes it the most expensive category among all the positions listed by the ruling party.
For senatorial aspirants, the APC has fixed the cost of the forms at ₦100 million. This places the price of contesting for a seat in the upper legislative chamber at half the amount required for presidential hopefuls, but still significantly high compared to previous election cycles.
Those seeking to contest for seats in the House of Representatives will need to obtain forms priced at ₦70 million. The figure underscores the growing financial demands placed on individuals aiming to secure party tickets for federal legislative positions.
Governorship aspirants under the APC platform are expected to pay ₦150 million for their nomination and interest forms. This positions the governorship category as the second most expensive, reflecting the strategic importance of state-level leadership within the party structure.
Meanwhile, aspirants for seats in the State Houses of Assembly will pay ₦20 million. Although this is the lowest among the listed categories, it still represents a substantial financial commitment for individuals seeking to enter state-level legislative politics.
The announcement has generated widespread reactions among political observers, stakeholders, and members of the public. Many have raised concerns about the implications of such high fees on inclusivity and participation in the democratic process.
Critics argue that the costs could limit opportunities for younger aspirants and individuals without significant financial backing, thereby narrowing the field to wealthy politicians or those with strong financial sponsors. They warn that this trend may discourage grassroots participation and weaken internal party democracy.
Supporters of the pricing structure, however, contend that the fees help the party manage the number of aspirants and ensure that only serious candidates enter the race. They also argue that the funds generated contribute to the party’s administrative and electoral expenses.
The APC has yet to provide detailed justification for the specific pricing structure, but similar fee increases have been observed across major political parties in Nigeria in recent years. The rising cost of political participation continues to be a subject of debate, especially as the country prepares for future elections.
As the political landscape evolves, the high cost of nomination forms remains a critical issue that could shape the composition of candidates and influence the broader democratic process in Nigeria.
