CPPI threatens legal action over political nomination fees
The Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion (CPPI) has threatened legal action against four major political parties over what it described as exorbitant nomination and expression of interest fees, warning that the charges undermine democratic participation and violate constitutional rights.
The group has also petitioned the National Assembly, calling for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act to regulate nomination fees imposed by political parties.
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion (CPPI) has threatened legal action against four major political parties over what it described as exorbitant nomination and expression of interest fees, warning that the charges undermine democratic participation and violate constitutional rights.
The group has also petitioned the National Assembly, calling for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act to regulate nomination fees imposed by political parties.
According to CPPI, the legal and legislative actions are being pursued in partnership with the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and the Embassara Foundation.
Pre-action notices have been served on the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement signed by former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka, High Chief Amagbe Denzil Kentebe, Iniruo Wills, Ken Lewis-Allagoa, Mr Famous O. Famous and Adebiyi Ajayi, the platform described the current nomination fee regime as a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
The statement argued that the high fees effectively exclude women, young people, persons with disabilities and many other Nigerians from contesting elective offices.
It further stated that the system has entrenched the monetisation of politics, where wealth, rather than competence and a commitment to public service, determines access to elective positions.
CPPI maintained that the practice violates constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality, freedom of association and citizens’ participation in governance. It also cited the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protects citizens’ equal participation in government.
According to the statement, nomination fees now run into tens and hundreds of millions of naira despite Nigeria’s ₦70,000 monthly national minimum wage.
The group noted that a minimum wage earner would need more than a century’s income to purchase some presidential nomination forms.
CPPI warned that the high cost of nomination forms encourages political sponsorship, godfatherism and undue financial influence in public office, while weakening internal party democracy, transparency, accountability and good governance.
The platform demanded an immediate review and reduction of nomination fees across political parties. It also called for transparent and non-discriminatory fee structures, as well as public disclosure of the legal basis for determining such charges.
In addition, CPPI sought compensation or refund mechanisms for aspirants adversely affected by prohibitive nomination fees.
The group warned that it would institute legal proceedings if the political parties failed to respond satisfactorily within the stipulated period.
In its petition to the National Assembly, CPPI urged lawmakers to amend the Electoral Act by introducing statutory caps on nomination fees.
It also called for provisions empowering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to regulate and approve political parties’ nomination fees.
The platform further proposed fee concessions for women, young people and persons with disabilities, alongside mandatory public disclosure of revenues generated from nomination fees.
CPPI also requested public hearings on the impact of nomination fees, arguing that wider stakeholder engagement would strengthen political inclusion and deepen internal party democracy.
