IPAC Criticizes High Nomination Fees for Local Government Elections

• The Inter-Party Advisory Council criticizes exorbitant nomination fees charged by State Independent Electoral Commissions, calling them unconstitutional and anti-democratic
• IPAC demands the withdrawal of illegal fees, emphasizing that running for office is a constitutional right that should be accessible to all

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has strongly condemned the high nomination fees being charged by some State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) for local government elections, calling them a violation of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and Supreme Court rulings that have declared such fees illegal and unconstitutional.

In a statement released in Abuja, IPAC National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, criticized these exorbitant fees, describing them as an attempt by anti-democratic forces to undermine Nigeria’s democracy and the financial autonomy recently granted to local governments by the Supreme Court.

Dantalle expressed particular concern over the Kaduna State SIEC’s demand for ₦11 million from chairmanship candidates and ₦2.2 million from councillorship candidates for the local government elections scheduled for October 19, 2024. He also denounced the Kano State SIEC’s nomination fees of ₦10 million for chairmanship candidates and ₦5 million for councillorship candidates in the upcoming November 30, 2024, elections. The Jigawa State SIEC’s fees of ₦5 million and ₦2 million for similar positions in the October 5, 2024, elections were also condemned.

Dantalle stated, “It is evident that these state governments do not want sustainable democracy at the local level. The outrageous fees signal to opposition parties and other aspirants, particularly those who cannot afford them, that they are excluded from participating in the elections.”

He emphasized that running for office is a constitutional right, especially at the grassroots level, and that it is unjust to prevent credible candidates from participating due to exorbitant fees. Dantalle demanded the withdrawal of these illegal fees in line with Supreme Court rulings and urged the SIECs to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.

In a separate statement, Dantalle also criticized the recently passed Anambra State Electoral Law 2024, which was rushed through by the State House of Assembly ahead of the September 28, 2024, local government election. He labeled the law as an “attack on Nigeria’s democracy,” particularly opposing Section 24(11) of the law, which requires that the nomination of candidates by a political party must be communicated by either the state or national chairman and secretary of the party, as recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).