Warning Over Soaring Nomination Fees: Chidoka Claims Escalating Expenses Pose Risk to Nigeria's Democratic System, Contrary to APC's Rebuttal

A heated discussion has resurfaced in Nigeria regarding the financial burden of participating in politics, sparked by the circulation of purported nomination fees for the 2027 elections, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has swiftly denied. The APC's denial comes amidst concerns raised by former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who on March 28, 2026, posted a statement on his Facebook page warning about the dangers of rising nomination form costs to democratic inclusivity.

Chidoka's statement was prompted by reports suggesting that nomination forms could cost up to ₦200 million for the presidency, ₦150 million for governorship, ₦100 million for the Senate, ₦70 million for the House of Representatives, and ₦20 million for State Houses of Assembly, although the APC has since disputed these figures as unofficial.

Despite the APC's clarification, Chidoka maintains that the issue of escalating nomination fees remains a pressing concern, arguing that such costs, whether confirmed or not, reflect a longstanding pattern among major political parties that restricts access to elective offices.

Citing the country's economic situation, Chidoka noted that with a minimum wage of ₦70,000, an average worker would need several decades to afford nomination forms, thereby raising questions about the inclusiveness of the political process.

He also referenced data showing that a significant proportion of Nigerians have relatively low savings, making it financially challenging for them to participate in the political process, and warned that this could lead to political contests being accessible mainly to a narrow segment of society.

According to Chidoka, the implication is that nomination fees, if maintained at high levels, could generate substantial revenue for parties, rivaling allocations to key public sectors such as education, healthcare, and security, a trend that deserves careful consideration.

As an alternative, Chidoka proposed that political parties could adopt more sustainable funding models, including membership-based contributions, which would reduce reliance on nomination fees while encouraging wider participation.

The former minister observed that Nigeria's approach differs from practices in several other democracies, where candidates typically emerge through internal party processes with fewer financial barriers, and provided historical context by citing the nomination fees charged by the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2022.

In 2022, the APC charged ₦100 million for presidential nomination forms and ₦50 million for governorship, while the PDP fixed its fees at ₦40 million and ₦21 million respectively, with legislative positions also attracting significant fees across both parties.

Chidoka explained that when adjusted for current exchange rates, more recent figures under discussion suggest increases in real terms for several offices, particularly legislative seats, and warned that if left unchecked, the practice could discourage broader participation and weaken the representative nature of Nigeria's democracy.

Chidoka emphasized that the issue is not limited to one party, but rather reflects a broader system in which access to political office is increasingly influenced by financial capacity, and called on political parties to review their nomination processes and ensure that the path to leadership remains open, competitive, and fair.

He concluded that the debate goes beyond partisan lines, describing it as a critical moment for Nigeria to reflect on whether its democratic system remains accessible in practice as well as in principle.