ADC chieftain warns high nomination fees threaten democracy, political inclusion
…accuses party of blocking youths, women from seeking elective offices A former governorship running mate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State, Dr Aminu Anas, has criticised the
…accuses party of blocking youths, women from seeking elective offices
A former governorship running mate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State, Dr Aminu Anas, has criticised the rising costs of nomination and expression-of-interest forms in political parties, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Anas described the growing cost of political participation as a dangerous form of commercialisation that could deepen voter apathy and political exclusion.
The ADC stalwart, who served as a governorship running mate in Kano during the 2023 elections, urged political parties, particularly the ADC, to return to affordable and inclusive nomination processes.
Anas, who said he has been a member of the ADC since 2022, explained that his intervention became necessary in light of developments in Nigeria’s democratic process nearly three decades into the Fourth Republic.
He expressed concern over what he described as the party’s gradual departure from its pro-poor and youth-friendly principles.
According to him, the ADC previously distinguished itself by reducing financial barriers and encouraging wider participation by youths, women, professionals and persons with disabilities.
“During the last dispensation, any member of ADC below the age of 30 was allowed to obtain forms free of charge. Women and people with disabilities were also given forms at no cost,” he said.
Anas warned that abandoning such policies could damage the party’s reform-driven image and discourage young Nigerians who view the ADC as a credible alternative political platform.
“By adopting a pricing structure similar to that of the APC and PDP, parties long criticised for imposing prohibitive nomination costs, the ADC risks diluting its identity as a reform-oriented platform.
“At a time when Nigerians are searching for credible alternatives in the political system, the ADC’s decision could have far-reaching implications. It is not only about the cost of forms; it is about the message conveyed regarding who is welcome to participate in shaping the new Nigeria we are hoping for,” he added.
As part of his recommendations, he proposed a drastic reduction in nomination fees across elective offices in the ADC.
According to him, House of Assembly aspirants should pay no more than N500,000, House of Representatives aspirants N1 million, Senate aspirants N3 million, governorship aspirants N5 million, and presidential aspirants N10 million.
Explaining the rationale behind the proposal, he said, “Politics is not meant to make money. It is meant to provide a platform for people to demonstrate their capacity. Why should the space be so restrictive that you must have N50 million or N100 million before you can pick a form?”
According to him, the increasing monetisation of party primaries has eroded public confidence in political parties and weakened internal democracy.
“At the heart of these challenges lies the increasingly continuous nature of political party recruitment processes. Party primaries are no longer viewed by many as fair contests of ideas, experience and leadership capacity. Instead, they are often characterised by disputes, exclusion and disenchantment,” he said.
He lamented that exorbitant nomination fees were shutting out competent Nigerians who lacked huge financial resources.
“One of the most troubling trends is the growing incidence of exorbitant fees for expression of interest and nomination forms. These costs have risen to levels that effectively shut out capable Nigerians who are dedicated and committed but lack substantial financial resources.
“This practice has continued to send a dangerous signal that political leadership is reserved for the highest bidders,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with democracies in the United Kingdom, Ghana and the United States, he argued that leadership recruitment should be driven by competence rather than financial strength.
“The process of leadership must be determined primarily by the capacity and ability to deliver, not by wealth and cash at hand,” he said.
The ADC member urged political parties to recognise their responsibility “as custodians of democratic values” and cautioned against the imposition of candidates through consensus arrangements.
“The right thing in democracy is to run primaries and allow people to choose their candidates. There should be nothing like consensus,” he declared.
He also advocated the deployment of technology by the ADC to enable all registered party members to participate directly in congresses and primaries.
The ADC chieftain also commented on the recent exit of some prominent politicians from the party, describing their departure as “a matter of concern.”
He specifically mentioned former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying their reasons for leaving the ADC had yet to be fully explained.
“However, I will not be surprised if they put the reverse gear and come back to ADC. They are experienced politicians and democrats who came with a wave into the party,” he said.
He maintained confidence in the leadership of former Senate President David Mark, saying the recent Supreme Court judgment had strengthened the party’s leadership structure.
“I am very confident that the status quo interpreted last week by the Supreme Court has given protection to Senator David Mark to lead the ADC,” he stated.
The ADC stalwart concluded by urging political actors to lower barriers to participation and restore public confidence in democratic institutions.
“The future of our democracy depends not on how much an aspirant can pay, but on the quality of leadership he or she can offer,” he said.
