By Ekwutosblog | Owerri
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly fixed the price of its nomination forms for the forthcoming Local Government elections at *N10 million for Chairmanship* and *N1 million for Councilorship*.
The development has sparked outrage among party members and aspirants across Owerri Municipal and other Local Government Areas in Imo State, with many describing the fees as too high for grassroots politics.
According to party sources, aspirants seeking to contest for the Chairmanship position are to pay N10 million, while those seeking Councilorship, including Ikenegbu Ward 2 and other wards, are to pay N1 million for the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms before screening.
While some party leaders argue that the high cost is meant to ensure only serious and committed aspirants come out, many youths and grassroots mobilizers say the fees will shut out young and credible candidates who do not have godfathers.
A youth aspirant who spoke on condition of anonymity said:
_”How can a young man who wants to serve his ward raise N1 million just to buy Councilorship form, talk less of N10 million for Chairman? This is not democracy, this is money politics. The party should reduce it so that ordinary people can participate.”_
Another party stakeholder in Ikenegbu Ward 2, Owerri Municipal, said the fees may favour only rich politicians and discourage IT-driven young leaders like Hon. Success Opara and others who rely on grassroots support, not money.
As at the time of filing this report, the APC State Secretariat in Owerri has not officially released a breakdown of the fees for other positions.
Aspirants are, however, calling on the national and state leadership of the party to review the N10 million and N1 million fees downward and grant concessions to youths, women and persons with disabilities, in line with the party’s promise of inclusivity.
