The Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion has issued pre-action notices to major political parties over exorbitant nomination and expression-of-interest fees.

The group also petitioned the National Assembly, seeking urgent amendments to the Electoral Act to regulate nomination fees charged by political parties.

CPPI said the legal and legislative actions were undertaken in partnership with the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership and the Embassara Foundation.

The pre-action notices were served on the All Progressives Congress, African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress and Peoples Democratic Party.

In a statement signed by former aviation minister Osita Chidoka, Amagbe Denzil Kentebe and Iniruo Wills, the platform described the current nomination fee regime as a threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

It said the system had entrenched the monetisation of politics, where wealth, rather than competence and public service, determines access to elective positions.

CPPI maintained that the practice violated constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality, freedom of association and citizens’ participation in governance.

The platform also cited provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights protecting equal participation in government.

It noted that a minimum wage earner would require more than a century of income to purchase some presidential nomination forms.

The group warned that high nomination fees encourage political sponsorship, godfatherism and undue financial influence in public office.

It added that the practice weakened internal party democracy, transparency, accountability and good governance.

CPPI demanded an immediate review and reduction of nomination fees across political parties.

It also called for transparent, non-discriminatory fee structures and public disclosure of the legal basis for determining such charges.

The group further sought compensation or refund mechanisms for aspirants adversely affected by prohibitive nomination fees.

CPPI warned that it would institute legal proceedings if the parties failed to respond satisfactorily within the stipulated period.

In its petition, the platform urged the National Assembly to impose statutory caps on nomination fees by amending the electoral act.

It also called for powers that would enable the Independent National Electoral Commission to regulate and approve political party nomination fees.

The group proposed fee concessions for women, youths and persons with disabilities, alongside mandatory public disclosure of nomination fee revenues.

CPPI also requested public hearings on the impact of nomination fees, saying broad stakeholder engagement would strengthen political inclusion and internal party democracy.

(NAN)