Nigerians have expressed a mix of shock and applause following the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)’s latest release of prices for its nomination forms across various levels of government.
The NDC released the nomination form prices alongside its timetable for screening and primary elections on May 12.
Per the statement, the party’s sales of expression of interest forms would run from May 13 to May 18. The screening is scheduled to run from May 19 through to May 21. Following these, the primary elections for various elective posts will run on May 27 and May 28.
Conversely, the Presidential primary is scheduled for Friday, May 29 in Abuja.
The NDC’s statement shows that the form for the State House of Assembly will go for N2.5 million. The Federal House of Representatives and Senate will go for N6 million and N8 million respectively.
Meanwhile, the Governorship and Presidential candidates will spend up to N30 million and N60 million respectively.
Interestingly, the party noted that women will enjoy a 50% discount while people living with disabilities will get 25% off.
However, the prices have already drawn mixed reactions including applause and backlash for the NDC.
Critics argue that the prices will hinder the expected increased political participation as the forms are years’ worth of minimum wage. They stress that this contradicts the party’s “Service to the People” motto.
Mujtahid Karigwe expressed that;
This is nothing but a way to stop ordinary Nigerians from ever running for office. Because tell me, how many ordinary citizens can afford this without being sponsored by some godfather who will later want to control them?
Popular social media critic, Daniel Regha added that;
So you expect a candidate who pays N60m for just nomination form (minus campaigns), and will earn just N 1.5m as a sitting president to be credible.
Proponents on the other hand see pricing as affordable, undercutting competitors like the APC and ADC with more expensive forms.
