The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State has taken a significant step towards promoting inclusivity in the upcoming local government elections. The party has reduced the cost of nomination forms for women and physically challenged persons, making it easier for them to participate in the electoral process. This decision was announced by Alhaji Bello Ayuba, the APC state Chairman, at a news conference in Maiduguri.
According to Ayuba, the party has fixed the cost of councillorship forms for women and physically challenged aspirants at N250,000, while chairmanship forms will cost N1 million. This represents a 50% reduction from the standard fees, which are N500,000 for councillorship and N2 million for chairmanship. The fee adjustment was made after consultations with other party members in Katsina and Lagos States, with the aim of giving women and persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in the elections.
The APC has assured that it will conduct free, fair, and transparent primaries, with all aspirants given equal opportunity to contest. The party has already concluded the form purchase process and will soon commence the screening of aspirants for the 27 local government chairmanship positions and 320 ward councilorships. Even in cases where there is only one aspirant in a local government or ward, affirmation exercises will be conducted to ensure acceptance by party structures.
After screening and affirmation, the party will forward the list of approved candidates to the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BORSEC) to enable them to secure forms and prepare for the main elections. Larger committees will also be constituted at various levels across all local government areas to ensure transparency and adherence to party guidelines. The APC has urged party members to remain peaceful during the electoral process, emphasizing its commitment to upholding democratic principles and delivering credible elections across the state.
The move to reduce nomination fees for women and physically challenged persons is a significant step towards promoting diversity and inclusivity in the electoral process. As the party prepares for the local government elections, it is essential that all stakeholders work together to ensure a smooth and peaceful process. With the APC’s commitment to transparency and fairness, the stage is set for a successful electoral exercise in Borno State.