The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially set the price for its governorship nomination form at a hefty N50 million ahead of the highly anticipated Anambra 2025 election, raising fresh concerns over the financial barriers to political participation.
The party’s National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, announced the development in a notice released on Monday, outlining the cost breakdown for different categories of aspirants.
According to Argungu, female aspirants and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) will be required to pay only N10 million for the nomination form, while they will receive the Expression of Interest form—ordinarily priced at N40 million—at no cost. Youth candidates between the ages of 25 and 40 will also benefit from a 50% discount on the nomination form.
The sale of forms will commence on March 3, 2025, and will close on March 24, 2025 at the APC Headquarters in Abuja.
The Road to Anambra 2025
The upcoming Anambra gubernatorial election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, has already begun generating political heat, with major parties strategizing to secure the state. APC, which has struggled to gain a stronghold in Anambra, is gearing up for a fierce battle against the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While APC currently controls the federal government, Anambra remains a tough terrain for the party, having never won a governorship election in the state. The last election in 2021 saw APGA’s Prof. Charles Soludo emerge victorious, defeating APC’s Andy Uba.
The high cost of the nomination form has sparked debates within political circles, with critics arguing that it places undue financial strain on aspirants and limits the playing field to only the wealthy elite.
Criticism Over High Fees
The N50 million price tag continues a trend of expensive nomination forms in Nigerian politics. In the 2023 general elections, APC set its presidential nomination form at N100 million, a move that drew widespread criticism. Similar concerns are now being raised about the governorship form in Anambra.
A political analyst, Dr. Mike Nwosu, described the cost as “an outrageous barrier to democratic participation.”
“How many young, competent leaders can afford N50 million just to express interest in governing their state? This system favors only the wealthy and discourages credible individuals from running,” he said.
However, APC officials argue that the pricing is necessary to fund party activities and ensure only serious aspirants participate.
Discounts for Youths, Women, and PWDs
In an attempt to address concerns over inclusivity, APC has introduced special concessions. Women and PWDs will pay significantly less, with only the N10 million nomination form required. Youth candidates will also enjoy a 50% discount, effectively reducing their total payment to N25 million.
Despite these concessions, many argue that the cost remains exorbitant, especially in a state where political campaigns require additional heavy spending on mobilization, media, and grassroots engagement.
What Next?
With the sale of forms kicking off in March, the political landscape in Anambra is set to become even more intense. APC will be looking for a strong candidate who can break APGA’s dominance in the state and expand the ruling party’s influence in the South-East.
Meanwhile, opposition parties are watching closely, ready to counter APC’s moves with their own political strategies. As the clock ticks towards the November 8 election, Anambra’s political stage is gearing up for a showdown that could reshape the state’s leadership.
