By CHARLES IWUOHA

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has ignited widespread controversy after announcing that the nomination form for local government chairmanship positions will cost aspirants a staggering ₦30 million.

The decision, revealed by the state party chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, has sparked outrage among political observers, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens, who argue that the exorbitant fee effectively excludes grassroots politicians and ordinary Ebonyi indigenes from contesting, turning local elections into an exclusive affair for the wealthy or well-connected.

The announcement came after a closed-door meeting with party officials from the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards.

According to Emegha, the ₦30 million covers both the expression of interest and nomination forms for chairmanship aspirants, while councillorship forms are priced at ₦250,000.

Sales of forms for delegates and councillors began on January 8, with chairmanship forms available from January 9 to January 19, ahead of the planned local government elections in August 2026.

According to data from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), even if a local government chairman avoids all personal expenses and saves every kobo of their official salary and allowances, the total earnings over a full four-year term would still fall short of ₦30 million.

This has led many to describe the fee as not just prohibitive but a direct incentive for corruption, as successful candidates may view their tenure primarily as an opportunity to recoup their “investment.”

Public reaction has been swift and sharp. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users have condemned the move as “moneycracy” rather than democracy.

The controversy intensified with Osbourne Umahi, the 27-year-old son of former Ebonyi State Governor and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, purchased the ₦30 million form to contest the Ohaozara Local Government Area chairmanship.

Supporters have praised him as a capable young politician committed to youth empowerment and infrastructure development, with the state APC chairman describing him as “intelligent” and capable of turning around the area’s fortunes.

However, critics see the move as emblematic of how the high fee favours political dynasties and those with access to significant resources or influential godfathers, further alienating average citizens.

The Ebonyi APC has defended the pricing, with some officials suggesting it ensures only “committed” and financially viable candidates emerge.

Yet, the backlash highlights broader concerns in Nigerian politics about the commercialisation of elective offices, where nomination fees for even modest positions now rival or exceed those for higher national roles in previous election cycles.

As the form sales window closes and primaries approach, the debate rages on: Is this a necessary measure for party discipline, or a deliberate barrier that undermines democratic inclusion at the most local level of governance? For many in Ebonyi, the ₦30 million price tag sends a clear message—local leadership is no longer within reach of the common man.

Whether this sparks reforms or deeper divisions remains to be seen, but the uproar shows no signs of fading soon.

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