A group, Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion (CPPI) on Thursday issued pre-action notices to major political parties over their exorbitant nomination and expression of interest fees.
The group also petitioned the National Assembly, seeking urgent amendments to the Electoral Act to regulate nomination fees charged by political parties.
According to the group, the legal and legislative actions were undertaken in partnership with the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and the Embassara Foundation.
The pre-action notices were served on the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement signed by former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, High Chief Amagbe Denzil Kentebe and Iniruo Wills, the platform described the current nomination fee regime as a threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
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The statement, also signed by Ken Lewis-Allagoa, Mr. Famous O. Famous and Adebiyi Ajayi, argued that the fees exclude women, youths, persons with disabilities and many other Nigerians from seeking elective offices.
It said the system has entrenched the monetisation of politics, where wealth, rather than competence and public service, determines access to elective positions.
CPPI maintained that the practice violates constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality, freedom of association and citizens’ participation in governance.
The platform also cited provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights protecting equal participation in government.
According to the statement, nomination fees now run into tens and hundreds of millions of naira despite the national minimum wage of ₦70,000 monthly.
It noted that a minimum wage earner would require more than a century of income to purchase some presidential nomination forms.
The group warned that high nomination fees encourage political sponsorship, godfatherism and undue financial influence in public office.
It added that the practice weakens internal party democracy, transparency, accountability and good governance.
CPPI demanded an immediate review and reduction of nomination fees across political parties.
It also called for transparent, non-discriminatory fee structures and public disclosure of the legal basis for determining such charges.
The group further sought compensation or refund mechanisms for aspirants adversely affected by prohibitive nomination fees.
CPPI warned that it would institute legal proceedings if the parties failed to respond satisfactorily within the stipulated period.
In its petition, the platform urged the National Assembly to impose statutory caps on nomination fees through amendments to the Electoral Act.
It also called for powers enabling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to regulate and approve political party nomination fees.
The group proposed fee concessions for women, youths and persons with disabilities, alongside mandatory public disclosure of nomination fee revenues.
CPPI also requested public hearings on the impact of nomination fees, saying broad stakeholder engagement would strengthen political inclusion and internal party democracy.
