Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced that aspirants seeking to contest its 2027 presidential primary will pay a total of N100m for nomination and expression of interest forms, a move that has triggered fresh debate over the cost of political participation in the country.
Details contained in a two-page document released on Saturday and signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaimon Arugungu, show that presidential aspirants will pay N30m for the expression of interest form and N70m for the nomination form.
The party also fixed fees for other elective positions, with governorship aspirants expected to pay N10m for the expression of interest form and N40m for the nomination form. Aspirants seeking senatorial seats will pay N3m and N17m respectively, while those vying for the House of Representatives will pay N1m for the expression of interest form and N9m for the nomination form.
Similarly, House of Assembly aspirants are to pay N1m for the expression of interest form and N4m for the nomination form.
The document, which outlines the schedule of activities and timetable for the 2027 general elections, stated that the party’s plans are in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s revised election timetable.
“In accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, I hereby present a proposed timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 general elections to the National Chairman/National Working Committee accordingly,” the document read.
Beyond the fees, the APC also unveiled its electoral timetable, setting April 20, 2026, for the issuance of notice of election to state chapters. The sale of nomination forms is scheduled to run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, at the party’s national secretariat, while May 4, 2026, has been fixed as the deadline for submission of completed forms.
According to the timetable, primaries for House of Assembly positions will hold on May 16, 2026, followed by governorship primaries on May 18, House of Representatives on May 20, and Senate primaries on May 22.
The party also scheduled appeal dates, with May 24, 2026, set for House of Assembly election appeals, while governorship, House of Representatives, and Senate appeals will take place on May 25, 2026.
However, the announcement has drawn sharp criticism from political analysts, who argue that the high cost of nomination forms undermines democratic inclusiveness and entrenches elitism within the political system.
A political analyst, Omenazu Jackson, criticised the development, describing it as a reflection of a flawed democratic structure that prioritises wealth over competence.
“This is the reason we should rejig our political makeup and approach in Nigeria. We should ask ourselves where the N100m is coming from,” he said, questioning the financial barriers placed before potential candidates.
Jackson further argued that the practice forces aspirants into financial dependence, which may ultimately affect governance outcomes.
“Some of them have to borrow, but by the time they get into office, the first thing is to begin to appease those who lent them money. The APC and other political parties doing this have literally monetised our democratic process,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, another political analyst, Prof. Kamilu Fage, described the fee structure as fundamentally undemocratic, warning that it restricts political participation to only the wealthy.
“This is undemocratic, in the sense that it unduly extends favour to the highest bidder. It means that people without such money cannot even contest. By implication, democracy is no longer by the people and for the people, but by the rich and for the rich,” he said.
Fage urged Nigerians to respond through active civic participation, stressing the importance of voting based on competence rather than party affiliation.
“It is for the people to understand what is happening now, get their voter cards and vote people not on the basis of political affiliations,” he added.
The announcement has once again brought to the fore longstanding concerns about the rising cost of politics in Nigeria, with critics warning that unless reforms are introduced, the system may continue to sideline capable individuals without deep financial backing.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, the APC’s decision is likely to intensify conversations around electoral reforms, internal party democracy, and the broader question of whether Nigeria’s political system truly reflects the will of its people.
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