Categories
AFNewsNG Logo
Politics Special Report

Taraba LG poll: APC threatens legal action over 'prohibitive' nomination fee

Thompson Nsisongabasi

Sep 03, 2025

mail
The Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has threatened to take legal action against the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission, TSIEC, accusing the body of imposing unconstitutional and exorbitant nomination fees ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

READ ALSO: H0T: You don't know who you are dealing with - Presidency tells Buhari's attackers

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Jalingo, APC State Chairman, Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi, criticized TSIEC's fee structure, which he claimed was deliberately designed to suppress opposition parties and restrict participation in the electoral process.

READ ALSO: How Buhari's Signature Was Forged To Withdraw $6.2M From CBN - Boss Mustapha Tells Court

According to the commission's guidelines, chairmanship aspirants are required to pay a non-refundable fee of N1 million, vice chairmanship aspirants N500,000.

READ ALSO: Nigeria: Supreme Court Set to Decide ADC Leadership Battle | SEE DATE

While female chairmanship and vice chairmanship candidates are to pay N250,000, for councillorship seats, male candidates are to pay N150,000 and female candidates N75,000.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Budgets N135bn For 2027 Election Lawsuits -

El-Sudi condemned the charges, labeling them unconstitutional and a violation of democratic principles.

READ ALSO: ADC Crisis: Nwosu Links INEC Decision to Jagaban Politics | READ WHY

"The constitution does not mandate any fees to be paid to INEC, and by extension, state electoral commissions have no legal grounds to impose such charges. This is a ploy to frustrate political parties, especially in a time of economic hardship,ÔÇØ he said.

READ ALSO: Yusuf Buhari Declares Interest In House Of Representatives Seat -

He called on TSIEC to immediately withdraw the fees from its election guidelines, insisting that the financial demands place undue burdens on aspirants and hinder inclusive democratic participation.

READ ALSO: 'Sleeping With Somebody Is Normal Thing In Our Industry' Actor Olofa Defends Baba Ijesha

The APC chairman also criticized the Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue for imposing what he described as "outrageousÔÇØ tax clearance fees of N1 million for chairmanship aspirants and N500,000 for those contesting councillorship positions.

READ ALSO: Is Flying Private Jets Christianity Or Spiritual 'Yahoo'? -Uche Maduagwu Queries General Overseers

"These figures are not only excessive but unreasonable,ÔÇØ he said, calling for an urgent downward review to ensure fairness.

READ ALSO: Olawepo-Hashim Resigns From PDP, Vows To Resist One Party State -

Despite these grievances, El-Sudi announced that the APC had successfully conducted its primaries across all the sixteen councils of the state and is fully prepared to contest the elections scheduled for November.

READ ALSO: CHELSEA VS REAL MADRID: Tonis Kross Speaks About Match | READ DETAILS

He reaffirmed the party's commitment to ensuring credible, free, and fair local government elections, while warning that failure by the electoral body to address these concerns could lead to legal consequences.

Related Stories

""

— Thompson Nsisongabasi

Join the Conversation

Signed in as Member