The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has unveiled its comprehensive fee structure and guidelines for aspirants vying for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12th. The structure incorporates a tiered system of fees, offering concessions and waivers for specific demographic groups, including women, youth, and people with disabilities, reflecting the party’s commitment to inclusivity and broader participation in the electoral process. This detailed framework serves as a roadmap for prospective candidates, outlining the financial obligations, eligibility criteria, and procedural requirements for participating in the party’s primaries and subsequently the general election.
The party’s guidelines, jointly endorsed by Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi and Secretary Dr. Adeola Jokomba, stipulate varying nomination and administrative fees based on the desired position and demographic characteristics of the aspirants. For chairmanship aspirants, the standard nomination fee is N5 million, accompanied by a N500,000 administrative fee. Recognizing the importance of gender balance, female chairmanship aspirants benefit from a reduced nomination fee of N2.5 million while maintaining the same administrative fee. Similarly, youth aspirants under 40 years old enjoy a 50% discount on the nomination fee, bringing it down to N2.5 million, while still being responsible for the full administrative fee. In a significant move towards inclusivity, aspirants with disabilities are entirely exempt from the chairmanship nomination fee, paying only a N250,000 administrative fee.
The fee structure for councillorship aspirants follows a similar pattern, with different tiers based on gender, age, and disability status. Male councillorship aspirants are required to pay a N1 million nomination fee and a N100,000 administrative fee. Female aspirants benefit from a significantly reduced nomination fee of N250,000, while the administrative fee remains at N100,000. Aspiring councillors under 40 years of age are entitled to a 50% reduction in the nomination fee, mirroring the discount offered to chairmanship aspirants. Furthermore, individuals with disabilities vying for councillorship positions are exempt from the nomination fee, paying only a N50,000 administrative fee. This tiered structure aims to encourage broader participation from diverse demographic groups, promoting representation and inclusivity in local governance.
Beyond the financial obligations, the APC guidelines also detail the eligibility criteria and procedural requirements for aspirants. All aspirants must be Nigerian citizens, possess a minimum of a school certificate or its equivalent, and meet the age requirements – 30 years for chairmanship and 25 years for councillorship. Higher educational qualifications are considered advantageous but not mandatory. Demonstrating active party membership and participation in party activities is also crucial, alongside unwavering loyalty to the party’s ideals and adherence to its Code of Conduct. These stipulations underscore the importance of commitment and active engagement within the party’s structure.
The endorsement process further emphasizes the importance of grassroots support within the party. Chairmanship aspirants must secure endorsements from five registered party members who are also registered voters within the aspirant’s ward, local government, or Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Councillorship aspirants require endorsements from 20 such members within their ward. This system ensures that aspirants have a demonstrable level of local support and are connected to the communities they intend to serve. The guidelines also mandate compliance with all constitutional requirements pertinent to the respective public offices.
Crucially, the APC guidelines stipulate that any party official intending to contest the elections must resign from their party position at least 30 days before the election or party primary. This measure aims to ensure a level playing field and prevent potential conflicts of interest. All payments for nomination and administrative fees are to be made via bank drafts payable to the All Progressives Congress, Lagos State. These meticulous guidelines aim to ensure a transparent and well-regulated process for selecting candidates who will represent the party in the local government elections. The APC’s emphasis on inclusivity, demonstrated through fee waivers and reduced rates for specific demographics, is a notable feature of this electoral process.
The party’s comprehensive guidelines provide a clear path for aspirants seeking to participate in the July 12th local government elections. By outlining the financial commitments, eligibility criteria, procedural requirements, and endorsement processes, the APC aims to ensure a transparent and organized approach to candidate selection. The focus on inclusivity, evidenced by the fee waivers and reduced rates for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, underscores the party’s commitment to broadening participation and representation in local governance. The detailed guidelines serve as a crucial framework for prospective candidates, ensuring a standardized and regulated process leading up to the party primaries and ultimately the general elections.
