By John Ikani
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved a 50 percent reduction in the price of nomination forms for individuals under 40 years of age.
The move follows calls by the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) on the APC to reduce the fees of the forms for youths interested in elective positions.
“We appeal earnestly to President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the party to review its stand and grant at least a 50% reduction in fees for the nomination form for Nigerian office seekers below 35 years of age in the 2023 elections,” the group had said.
Announcing the reduction in the price of nomination forms via a tweet on Wednesday, APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel appealed to interested individuals not to abuse the opportunity.
“The APC NEC has approved 50% discount on nomination forms for everyone under 40yrs old. This is a golden opportunity, but please LET US NOT ABUSE it. The first time in the history of the APC. Glory be to the Almighty,” he wrote on his Twitter page.
With the 50% reduction, aspirants under the age of 40 can now purchase the nomination form for the presidential election at N50 million, instead of N100 million.
Similarly, governorship candidates under 40 will pay N25 million, instead of N50 million, while those vying for the house of representatives will pay N5 million and the senate hopefuls will pay N10 million.
The NYP had earlier in its appeal said the slash in prices “is the ultimate way to reciprocate the love and loyalty of Nigerian youths, display boundless belief in the youth’s constituency, promote inclusion and strengthen our democracy.”
What you should know
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with one of the largest youth populations in the world.
People aged 60 years and older represent a small part of the nation’s population and are ironically constituents of the ruling class.
Their ineptitude and consequent leadership deficit is one of the factors preventing Nigeria from achieving sustainable economic growth and development as well as attaining its full potential.
Where do the young ones belong in the political scheme of things?
In April 2018 Nigeria’s National Assembly resolved to transmit the Not Too Young To Run Bill to the President.
The bill seeking to reduce age qualification for political offices was signed into law in May 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
However Nigerian youths are yet to take advantage of the ‘Not too young to run’ law because partisan politics is too expensive and there is power inequity.
According to BudgIT co-founder, Seun Onigninde: “Our route to public office has been heavily monetised and has been taken out of the reach of decent working people. So, even if you want to run for office, you count the cost, you want to drop all your life savings to contest an election you are not sure of winning?“
Similarly in 2018, a former Presidential Aide, Reno Omokri suggested that Nigeria needs a #NotTooPoorToRun bill to discourage money politics in the country.
He wondered how many Nigerians, without corruption, can afford the nomination form fees set by many parties.
