…says they undermine democracy
A former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, has criticised the high cost of political party nomination forms in Nigeria, describing the fees as undemocratic and exclusionary, warning that they could undermine citizens’ participation in governance.
Chidoka, in a statement issued on March 28, 2026, expressed concern over recently announced nomination fees attributed to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which placed the cost of the presidential form at ₦200 million, governorship at ₦150 million, Senate at ₦100 million, House of Representatives at ₦70 million, and State House of Assembly at ₦20 million.
He, however, noted that the APC has officially distanced itself from the widely circulated figures, but maintained that the debate highlights deeper concerns about the affordability of political participation in Nigeria.
According to Chidoka, the high cost of nomination forms has moved beyond administrative expenses and has become a barrier that limits access to leadership positions to only the wealthy.
“At a minimum wage of ₦70,000, a Nigerian worker would need 238 years to afford a presidential form and about 24 years to afford a State Assembly form. This is not a system designed for participation; it is exclusionary,” he said.
He cited data from the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), indicating that more than 97 per cent of Nigerians have less than ₦500,000 in their bank accounts, arguing that such financial realities make it nearly impossible for ordinary citizens to aspire to public office.
Chidoka further estimated that if an average of four aspirants contested each legislative seat, political parties could generate about ₦223.68 billion from nomination fees for the Senate, House of Representatives and State Assemblies alone. He observed that the projected amount compares significantly with national budget allocations to critical sectors such as education, health and policing.
“In effect, the cost of accessing political office in one party is now competing with what Nigeria invests in education, health and security. That should trouble us,” he said.
He suggested that political parties could adopt alternative funding models by relying on membership dues and voluntary contributions rather than imposing high nomination fees. According to him, a membership base of 800,000 paying ₦25,000 annually could generate ₦20 billion for party operations without restricting participation.
Chidoka also noted that in countries such as South Africa, Brazil, India and Mexico, candidates typically emerge through internal democratic processes rather than financial barriers, stressing that high entry costs could prevent capable leaders from emerging.
He warned that excessive nomination fees send the wrong message about leadership, suggesting that public office is reserved for individuals with substantial financial resources rather than competence, ideas and commitment to service.
The former minister said the trend runs contrary to the provisions of Section 14(2)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees citizens’ participation in governance, as well as Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provides for equal access to public service.
He urged the APC, as the ruling party, to review the fees and set standards that would promote inclusiveness and strengthen democratic participation. He also called on other political parties to avoid turning nomination processes into what he described as “luxury items” accessible only to the wealthy or their sponsors.
“Nigeria cannot build a representative democracy if access to the ballot is priced beyond the reach of its citizens. The pathway to leadership must remain open, competitive and fair,” Chidoka stated.
He added that the issue goes beyond any single political party, stressing that the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on ensuring that citizens can participate meaningfully in the political process.
