By Muhammad Mamman
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has announced a N30 million nomination form fee for aspirants hoping to contest local government chairmanship positions in the state.
In a statement released on Friday, party officials confirmed that the fee applies to all prospective candidates seeking the APC ticket for the 2026 local government elections. The announcement has sparked discussions among party members and political observers over the accessibility of political participation in the state.
The party said the high nomination fee is aimed at ensuring that only serious and financially capable candidates participate in the primaries. However, critics argue that such a steep cost may limit grassroots involvement and favour wealthy aspirants.
APC officials added that sales of the forms will commence immediately and will continue until a deadline set ahead of the primaries. They stressed that all candidates must comply with party regulations and submit the forms within the stipulated period to be eligible.
Ebonyi State, like many others in Nigeria, has witnessed increasing competition for local government positions, with political parties seeking to strengthen their influence at the grassroots level ahead of upcoming elections.
The development comes as the APC continues preparations for its primary elections, amid growing pressure to ensure transparency and fairness in candidate selection.
