2027: APC storm over nomination form cost, other issues

The rising number of expressions of interest and nomination forms since the All Progressives Congress (APC) was founded in 2014 may indicate that a new storm over the high expense of running for office on the party’s platform is about to break out within the ruling party.

In 2014, APC presidential and governorship forms cost N27.5 million and N5 million, respectively, ahead of the 2015 general elections, according to Daily Trust. To N45 million and N22.5 million in 2019, it climbed. It did, however, rise to N50 million and N100 million in 2023.

But party heavyweights have pushed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to tone down the 2027 contest’s expression of interest and nomination forms. They claim that even though the party made billions of Naira from the sale of these documents prior to the 2023 elections, it hasn’t disclosed how the money was used.

Former APC national vice chairman (North West), Salihu Mohammed Lukman, bemoaned in a statement on Tuesday the rising expense of running for office inside the party.

He conveyed concerns that the APC would levy N125 million for gubernatorial nominations and N250 million for expressions of interest by 2027.

He claims that because the APC is “progressively losing the little democratic credentials,” Nigerians should have anticipated the prospect of a progressive party emerging from it in 2015.

But in a quick response, Felix Morka, the national publicity secretary for the APC, stated, “The cost of forms for next elections is all speculations.”

“That N1 was demanded doesn’t mean it will be N2 next time,” stated Morka during a phone conversation. Another possibility is that it will be scrutinized from below.

Therefore, we have to wait for the party to decide before responding. Therefore, since everything Lukman says is conjecture, I won’t get into a disagreement with him about that.

However, he told Daily Trust that the APC has continued to charge exorbitant fees because it is the ruling party. Professor Kari is a political sociology professor at the University of Abuja.

Read Also: Why lawmakers would not stop off-cycle election – Ondo senator explains

In addition, he blamed the actions of a small group of powerful people who have taken over the party and the relentless commercialization of Nigerian politics.

Because it is the ruling party, the APC has paid the highest cost. The fundamental premise is that any candidate who receives an APC ticket will probably win election. That could turn out to be a valid assumption. Perhaps it’s not true,” he remarked.

According to Kari, “you have blocked the very essence of democracy, and that is exactly what is happening” if the party leadership can obstruct political participation by continuously raising the nomination cost. Therefore, the system of exorbitant fees is a major obstacle to democracy because it prevents those who cannot afford to participate.