CPPI Serves Pre-Action Notices on Major Political Parties Over Nomination Fees, Seeks Electoral Act Amendment
Atlantic Digest News| July 9, 2026
The Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion (CPPI), in collaboration with the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and the Embassara Foundation, has launched legal and legislative actions aimed at challenging what it described as the exorbitant cost of expression of interest and nomination forms charged by political parties in Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by Rt. Hon. Osita Chidoka, High Chief Amagbe Denzil Kentebe, Barr. Iniruo Wills, Barr. Ken Lewis-Allagoa, Mr. Famous Obebi Famous, and Adebiyi Ajayi Esq., the platform has 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).
The group also submitted a legislative petition to the leadership of the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to amend the Electoral Act to regulate nomination fees charged by political parties.
CPPI described the current nomination fee regime as a serious threat to constitutional democracy, arguing that it effectively shuts out women, youths, persons with disabilities, and many other Nigerians from contesting elective offices.
According to the statement, “The inevitable consequence is the systemic monetisation of political participation across the Nigerian political landscape, whereby access to elective office is increasingly determined by wealth rather than merit, competence or public service.”
The platform argued that the practice is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly Sections 40 and 42, which guarantee freedom of association and equality before the law. It further cited Section 14(2)(c), which provides that “the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured,” alongside Sections 17(2)(a) and 15(5), which promote equality, justice, and the elimination of corrupt practices.
CPPI also referenced Articles 2, 3, and 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, noting that they guarantee equality before the law and every citizen’s right to participate freely in the government of their country.
Highlighting the economic implications of the fees, the organisation observed that while nomination forms now cost tens or even hundreds of millions of naira, Nigeria’s national minimum wage remains ₦70,000 per month.
“A Nigerian worker earning the national minimum wage would require well over one hundred years of income to afford certain presidential nomination forms,” the statement said, describing the disparity as clear evidence of an exclusionary political system.
The platform further warned that excessive nomination fees encourage political sponsorship, strengthen godfatherism, promote undue financial influence over public office, and undermine internal party democracy, transparency, accountability, and good governance.
In its pre-action notices, CPPI demanded the immediate review and substantial reduction of nomination fees, the adoption of a transparent and non-discriminatory fee structure that reflects Nigeria’s economic realities, public disclosure of the legal basis for determining such fees, and compensation or refund mechanisms for aspirants adversely affected by prohibitive charges.
The organisation stated that it would proceed with legal action if the political parties fail to respond satisfactorily within the stipulated period.
In its petition to the National Assembly, CPPI urged lawmakers to amend the Electoral Act by introducing a statutory cap on nomination fees, empowering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to regulate and approve such fees, requiring political parties to publicly justify their fee structures, providing concessions for women, youths, and persons with disabilities, and mandating annual disclosure of nomination fees, the number of forms sold, and the revenue generated.
The platform also called on the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters to convene a public hearing on the impact of nomination fees on democratic participation and to engage political parties, INEC, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, and constitutional law experts in discussions on electoral reforms.
CPPI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive political participation, strengthening internal party democracy, and advancing a more transparent, accountable, and representative electoral system in Nigeria.
