Major political parties have been served pre-action notices over what has been described as exorbitant nomination and expression-of-interest fees, as the Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion (CPPI) moves to challenge the practice through legal and legislative channels.
The platform also petitioned the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to urgently amend the Electoral Act to regulate the nomination fees charged by political parties.
CPPI said the initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and the Embassara Foundation.
The pre-action notices were served on the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement signed by former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, alongside Amagbe Denzil Kentebe and Iniruo Wills, the group argued that the prevailing nomination fee regime poses a serious threat to constitutional democracy.
According to the platform, the current system has deepened the monetisation of politics by making financial capacity, rather than competence, integrity and commitment to public service, the determining factor for seeking elective office.
It maintained that the practice undermines constitutional guarantees of equality, freedom of association and citizens’ right to participate in governance.
The group also cited provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protect equal access to participation in government.
CPPI noted that, based on current earnings, a Nigerian earning the national minimum wage would need more than 100 years of income to afford some presidential nomination forms.
It warned that excessive nomination fees fuel political sponsorship, godfatherism and undue financial influence in governance, while weakening internal party democracy, transparency, accountability and good governance.
Among its demands, the platform called for an immediate review and reduction of nomination and expression-of-interest fees across political parties.
It also urged political parties to adopt transparent and non-discriminatory fee structures and publicly disclose the legal basis for fixing nomination charges.
The group further sought compensation or refund mechanisms for aspirants who may have been disadvantaged by prohibitive nomination fees.
CPPI warned that it would commence legal proceedings if the affected political parties failed to provide satisfactory responses within the stipulated period.
In its petition to the National Assembly, the platform called for amendments to the Electoral Act to introduce statutory limits on nomination fees.
It also proposed granting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the authority to regulate and approve nomination fees charged by political parties.
Additionally, the group advocated fee concessions for women, youths and persons with disabilities, mandatory public disclosure of revenues generated from nomination fees, and public hearings to examine the impact of the charges on political participation.
According to CPPI, these measures would promote greater political inclusion, strengthen internal party democracy and expand citizens’ access to elective offices.
(NAN)
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
