CPPI Moves against High Nomination Fees By Political Parties

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion (CPPI) has commenced legal and legislative action against what it described as the exorbitant expression of interest and nomination fees charged by political parties.

The CPPI warns that the practice threatens Nigeria’s constitutional democracy by shutting out ordinary citizens from contesting elective offices.

The platform disclosed that it had issued separate pre-action notices to the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while also petitioning the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to regulate nomination fees.

CPPI, a non-partisan coalition of citizens, public policy advocates and democratic governance stakeholders, is pursuing the initiative in collaboration with the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and the Embassara Foundation.