Uproar as Ebonyi APC Sets ₦30 Million Fee for Local Government Chairmanship Nomination Forms
The Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has come under intense public scrutiny following its decision to fix the cost of nomination forms for local government chairmanship aspirants at ₦30 million. The announcement, made by the state party chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, has triggered a wave of criticism from political observers, civil society organisations, and ordinary citizens who argue that the move effectively excludes the majority of Ebonyi residents from participating in local governance.
The decision was disclosed after a closed-door meeting involving party officials from the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards. According to Chief Emegha, the ₦30 million fee covers both the expression of interest and nomination forms for chairmanship aspirants, while councillorship aspirants are required to pay ₦250,000.
The APC chairman also announced the timeline for the sale of forms ahead of the planned local government elections scheduled for August 2026. Sales of forms for delegates and councillorship aspirants reportedly commenced on January 8, while chairmanship forms were made available from January 9 and are expected to close on January 19.
Almost immediately after the announcement, concerns were raised about the implications of the pricing on democratic participation at the grassroots level. Critics argue that the fee is prohibitively high for a state like Ebonyi, where average income levels remain low and economic hardship is widespread.
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Adding weight to the criticism, data from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) indicates that even if a local government chairman were to save their entire official salary and allowances over a four-year term, the total earnings would still fall short of ₦30 million. This has fueled arguments that the fee is not only unrealistic but could encourage corruption, as elected officials may feel pressured to recover their “investment” through questionable means once in office.
Public reaction has been swift, particularly on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), where users have described the move as a shift from democracy to “moneycracy.” Many commentators argue that such high entry costs transform elective offices into commodities reserved for the wealthy or those backed by powerful political sponsors.
The controversy intensified following reports that Osbourne Umahi, the 27-year-old son of former Ebonyi State Governor and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, purchased the ₦30 million form to contest the chairmanship of Ohaozara Local Government Area. While supporters have praised him as a young and capable aspirant with a focus on youth empowerment and infrastructure development, critics view the development as symbolic of how the pricing structure favours political dynasties and entrenched interests.
State APC officials have defended the pricing, with some suggesting that it helps filter out unserious aspirants and ensures that only candidates with the capacity to run effective campaigns emerge. They argue that financial commitment is a measure of seriousness and organisational strength.
However, analysts note that this rationale raises broader concerns about the commercialisation of politics in Nigeria, where nomination fees for relatively modest offices increasingly rival or exceed those for higher elective positions in previous election cycles. Observers warn that such trends weaken internal party democracy and reduce political competition to a contest among elites.
As debates continue, many residents of Ebonyi State question what the decision means for representation at the local level, traditionally regarded as the tier of government closest to the people. Critics argue that by placing such a high financial barrier on participation, political parties risk alienating capable grassroots leaders who lack wealth but possess local legitimacy and administrative competence.
With the deadline for form purchases approaching and party primaries on the horizon, the controversy shows no sign of abating. For many, the ₦30 million price tag sends a troubling signal about the future of inclusive governance in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large.
Whether the backlash will lead to a review of the fee structure or simply deepen existing divisions within the political space remains to be seen.