The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State is facing intense public criticism following its decision to fix the cost of nomination forms for local government chairmanship positions at N30 million. The move has triggered widespread debate across the state and beyond, with many Nigerians describing it as a serious threat to grassroots democracy.
The announcement was made by the Ebonyi State APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, after a closed-door meeting with party leaders from the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards. According to him, the N30 million fee covers both the expression of interest and nomination forms for aspirants seeking to contest for local government chairmanship positions.
Emegha also disclosed that nomination forms for councillorship positions have been pegged at N250,000. Sales of forms for councillors and delegates began on January 8, while chairmanship forms went on sale from January 9 and are expected to close on January 19. The party plans to conduct its local government primaries ahead of the council elections scheduled for August 2026.
Almost immediately after the announcement, reactions poured in from political analysts, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens, many of whom described the fees as excessive and unfair. Critics argue that such a high cost automatically shuts out average Ebonyi indigenes, including teachers, farmers, traders and young professionals, who may have the interest and capacity to serve but lack the financial means.
Local government councils are widely regarded as the closest level of government to the people. They are responsible for basic services such as primary education, healthcare, rural roads, markets and sanitation. Because of this, many believe that leadership at this level should be open and accessible to people from all backgrounds.
However, the N30 million price tag has raised fears that only wealthy individuals or those backed by powerful political figures can afford to contest. For many observers, this turns local elections into an exclusive affair reserved for the rich and politically connected.
The controversy has been further fueled by data from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). According to the commission’s figures, even if a local government chairman saves every kobo of their official salary and allowances over a four-year term, the total earnings would still not reach N30 million.
This revelation has strengthened arguments that the high nomination fee could encourage corruption. Critics warn that candidates who spend such huge sums to secure party tickets may see public office as an investment that must be recovered, rather than a platform for service.
“This is not democracy, it is moneycracy,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Similar views have been echoed across Facebook, WhatsApp groups and radio phone-in programmes in Ebonyi State.
The situation took a more dramatic turn when Osbourne Umahi, the 27-year-old son of former Ebonyi State Governor and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, purchased the N30 million form to contest the chairmanship of Ohaozara Local Government Area.
His entry into the race has attracted mixed reactions. Supporters describe him as a young, energetic politician with fresh ideas. They say he represents a new generation of leaders and has shown interest in youth empowerment and infrastructure development.
The Ebonyi APC chairman, Emegha, also spoke positively about Osbourne Umahi, describing him as intelligent and capable of transforming Ohaozara Local Government Area.
However, critics see his emergence as proof that the high cost of forms favours political families and entrenched interests. They argue that while the party claims to support youth participation, the reality is that only young people from wealthy or influential backgrounds can afford to contest under such conditions.
For many residents, the development has reopened old debates about political godfatherism and dynastic politics in Nigeria. They fear that such trends further distance ordinary citizens from power and decision-making.
Despite the backlash, the Ebonyi APC has defended its decision. Some party officials argue that the high fee is meant to ensure that only serious and committed aspirants contest the elections. They also claim it helps reduce the number of candidates and strengthens party discipline.
The controversy in Ebonyi reflects a wider problem in Nigerian politics — the growing commercialisation of elective offices. Over the years, the cost of purchasing party nomination forms has steadily increased, making politics less accessible to ordinary citizens.
As the window for purchasing forms gradually closes and party primaries draw nearer, tension continues to rise within the APC and among the general public. Some party members have reportedly expressed discomfort in private, even as the leadership maintains its position.
For many Ebonyi residents, the N30 million fee sends a clear and troubling message: leadership at the local level is no longer within the reach of the common man. As debates continue, calls are growing for political parties to review their nomination processes and lower financial barriers in the interest of true democratic participation.
Whether the Ebonyi APC will reconsider its decision remains to be seen. For now, the controversy has once again placed the spotlight on the role of money in Nigerian politics and the future of grassroots democracy in the country.