Ebonyi APC Charges N30 Million for Local Government Chairmanship Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has pegged nomination forms for local government chairmanship elections at N30 million, surpassing the total official earnings of a chairman over an entire four-year term.

State APC Chairman Stanley Okoro Emegha made the announcement after a closed-door meeting with party officials in Abakaliki. The gathering included the 13 Local Government Chairmen and 171 ward executives, and was aimed at briefing leaders on upcoming party programs and coordinating activities across all levels.

The steep fee quickly drew attention, particularly after Osborn Umahi, son of Minister of Works Dave Umahi, reportedly purchased the form for Ohaozara Local Government Area, attracting supporters to the party secretariat.

Data from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) shows that local government chairmen earn about N3.5 million in salary and N2.7 million in allowances annually, totaling roughly N25.2 million over a four-year term—less than the APC nomination form fee.

The announcement has raised questions about the affordability of political participation in Nigeria, highlighting concerns over high-cost politics and the reliance on personal wealth or external support to contest elective positions.