The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has sparked controversy by setting the nomination fee for local government chairmanship positions at N30 million. This decision, announced by state party chairman Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, has been met with outrage from political observers, civil society groups, and citizens, who argue that the high fee excludes grassroots politicians and ordinary indigenes from contesting.
The announcement followed a closed-door meeting with party officials from the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards. According to Emegha, the N30 million fee covers both the expression of interest and nomination forms for chairmanship aspirants, while councillorship forms are priced at N250,000. The 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.
Data from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) shows that the total earnings of a local government chairman over a full four-year term would still fall short of N30 million, even if they avoid all personal expenses and save every kobo of official salary and allowances. This has led to concerns that the fee may incentivize corruption, as successful candidates may view their tenure as an opportunity to recoup their investment.
The public reaction has been swift, with many taking to social media to condemn the move as “moneycracy” rather than democracy. The controversy intensified after Osbourne Umahi, the son of former Ebonyi State Governor and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, purchased the N30 million form to contest the Ohaozara Local Government Area chairmanship. While supporters praise him as a capable young politician, critics see the move as emblematic of how the high fee favors political dynasties and those with access to significant resources.
The Ebonyi APC has defended the pricing, suggesting it ensures that only committed and financially viable candidates emerge. However, the backlash highlights broader concerns in Nigerian politics about the commercialization 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 about whether this is a necessary measure for party discipline or a deliberate barrier that undermines democratic inclusion at the local level of governance. The controversy has sparked concerns that local leadership is no longer within reach of the common man, and it remains to be seen whether this will spark reforms or deeper divisions.
