High cost of nomination forms: APC aspirants kick, threaten mass defections

Aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress are poised for a showdown with the party leadership over the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms .
SUNDAY PUNCH gathered in Abuja on Saturday that aspirants , seeking the party’ s nomination to contest the governorship , national and state assemblies seats were on a collision course with the party leadership.

They were said to have demanded a downward review of the fees.

The APC ’ s National Working Committee had proposed N 55 m as the cost of the nomination and expression of interest forms for the office of President , which is way higher than the N 12 m being charged by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

Those seeking the party’ s nod to contest the state houses of assembly elections are asked to be prepared to part with N 1 . 1 m as against PDP ’ s N 600 , 000 , while for the House of Representatives , APC aspirants should are asked to pay N 3 . 8 m . The PDP is asking its aspirants to pay 1 . 5 m to contest the tickets .

For the Senate , APC aspirants will pay N 8 . 5 m as against the N 3 . 5 m the PDP is asking from its aspirants for the same position .

Governorship aspirants of the ruling party are asked to pay N 22 . 5 m each to contest the ticket as against the N 6 m to be paid by their counterparts in the PDP .

A member of the party ’ s NEC , who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution , said the party leadership would stick to “ its guns ” as regards the fees .

He told SUNDAY PUNCH , “ As a party , we want people who have capacity and what we are asking for is reasonable in the circumstance. Even Mr . President ( Muhammadu Buhari ) expressed his reservations about the cost of the forms .

“ A party member reminded him that his nomination forms were paid for by his teeming supporters across the country . He was also told that his support base has increased considerably .

“ Our ( national ) chairman even jokingly told the President that the party was prepared to give him a discount if he asks for it and we all joked about it . ”

An aspirant to the House of Representatives , who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardise ongoing negotiations , said , “ We will be meeting either tomorrow ( Sunday ) or Monday to prepare a template on the way forward .

“ We will give the party the choice of either reviewing the costs downwards or be prepared for mass defections which will certainly follow . ”

Kaka seeks reduction in fees

When contacted , a governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Senator Adegbenga Kaka, urged the NWC of the APC to review downward the fee payable for the governorship nomination form .

He noted that as a progressive political party, the elective positions should not be for politicians with deep pockets .

He said , “ As a progressive party , the APC should not deprive those who have something meaningful to contribute to the party and the society at large . ”

Party executive should look into it — Aspirant

A House of Representatives aspirant in Osun State, Mr Olalekan Badmus , described the nomination fee as too expensive .

He said he was confident that the party would review it downward .

Badmus said , “ It is outrageous when compared to the PDP ’ s fees for the House of Representative which is N 1 . 5 m . The PDP did that with the intention of encouraging the younger politicians . ”

We have not received any formal complaint – Party

When contacted , the National Publicity Secretary of the APC , Yekini Nabena, said the party had yet to receive any formal complaint from any of its members or aspirants .

He also explained that what the NWC presented before NEC was a proposal which was being considered.

Nabena stated , “ To the best of my knowledge , the party has not received any complain from any of our aspirants .

“ I know that what we have are proposals being considered and NEC gave that responsibility to the NWC. ”

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