PDP’s N12m presidential ticket: What Nigerians think
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was reported to have fixed a fee of N12 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms for its presidential aspirants. What do Nigerians think? Auwal Abdullahi, 36, Engineer To me, N12m is far too much for presidential a nomination form, taking into consideration the current economic situation […]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was reported to have fixed a fee of N12 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms for its presidential aspirants. What do Nigerians think?
Auwal Abdullahi, 36, Engineer
To me, N12m is far too much for presidential a nomination form, taking into consideration the current economic situation the nation. Moreover, if an aspirant should part ways with his hard earned N12m just to pick a form, what do you expect when he finally wins? In a nutshell, this is a planned technique to favour those who have already acquired more than they need and also a strategy to prevent young aspirants from trying.
Sagir Salihu Chedi, 44, Development Worker
This amount is outrageous and will only encourage corruption. If you have N12 million to give away for a presidential nomination form, it will be like making an investment. So, ideally you will expect returns, meaning the whole intent of democracy will be scuttled and abused.
Secondly, if such sum of money is being imposed, not only on presidential nomination tickets, but on all positions, then the recently assented Not Too Young to Run bill will be rendered ineffective. I strongly believe that if a youth has N12m in this present-day Nigeria, he wouldn’t even think of contesting for any political position. It will only favour a few, while the majority of the aspirants who have good intentions will be denied the chance to exercise their constitutional right.
Maryam Garba Usman, 33, Activist
It is virtually the same if you look at all the mega parties we have in Nigeria. The amount being earmarked for not only the presidential nomination ticket, but all positions is beyond the reach of the common man. The N12 million for PDP’s presidential nomination form is too much and only those that have acquired much, either as civil servants or businessmen or women can afford such money.
On other positions, I suggest that every aspiring politician should pick other parties that are willing to give out their forms free to deserving aspirants. Youths will be able to utilise the Not Too Young to Run bill in the over 90 registered political parties.
Idris Bashir, 45, Civil Servant
Such an amount, just for presidential nomination form in PDP is totally wrong. This is what is killing this nation. What is the money going to be used for after the aspirants must have picked their forms? If true democracy is to be practiced, I suggest such outrageous amount of money for nomination forms should be reduced to the barest minimum level, otherwise the whole democratic process in Nigeria will continue to suffer setbacks.
Peter Hassan Tijjani, 51, Development worker
This is uncalled for at a time when money politicking is being discouraged. To be candid, N12 million as the party’s nomination form fee is too much considering the current economic situation of the country.
The irony howerver is that the intent was just for those who have been popular in the contest circle to have the monopoly to continue with their race, not minding the new breed in the political circle. Similarly, the outrageous amount will definitely negate the intent of the newly enacted Not Too Young to Run bill.
Umar Adam Tinshama, 29, Businessman
If you look at the calibre of people seeking for the presidential seat in PDP, N12 million is not too much. These are people whose social class is well known to all Nigerians and we are sure they can pay that without batting an eyelid.
However, in an era where democracy should be allowed to play out, placing such huge amount of money is not right, because it will definitely block others from participating in what the constitution has given them the right to.
Furthermore, this is clear evidence that the party is not ready to accommodate a new generation of politicians who have never tasted power.
Nweke Nnaemeka Uzoma, 23, Student
If the presidential aspirants are not complaining, I see no reason why I should complain for them. The party feels that N12 million for nomination form is allright for its members and the members have accepted that, So be it.
To me, since there are about 92 political parties in the country, and I believe they all have different rates, if one cannot afford in Party A then maybe the fee of Party B may not be that much, therefore he or she should go where it is affordable.
However, the issue of placing such huge amount of money on nomination forms in a democratic setting is uncalled for. Let there be a regulatory body that will determine what a party should fix as nomination form fee for all contestable positions.