The National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee (NRSC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has recommended that the party should waive nomination fees for aspirants less than 35 years for all the elective categories in the 2023 general election.
This was contained in a one-page letter dated March 25, 2021, signed by Saraki and addressed to Prince Uche Secondus, National Chairman, PDP.
According to the letter, the NRSC is seeking the approval of the party’s National Working Committee(NWC) and the National Executive Committee(NEC), to forgo the nomination fees for all youth aspirants who are not less than 18 years old and not more than 35 years.
However, they will still be required to pay the Expression of Interest fee, which is far lower than nomination fees for all categories of the election.
According to the committee, the recommendation came as a result of the meeting it held with the party’s National Youth Leader and other youth representative across the country.
The recommendation is believed to be aimed at easing the financial burden of youth aspirants, thereby encouraging them to actively participate in the politics of the country.
Checks revealed that a sum of N12 million was charged by the party for the Presidential nomination form in the 2019 general elections, with additional N2m for Expression of Interest.
The party charged N6 million for the governorship positions, with additional N1m for Expression of Interest.
Similarly, N4 million was charged for Senatorial nomination form, with additional N500, 000 for Expression of Interest.
Also, N1.5 million was charged for the House of Representatives seats, with additional N500, 000 for Expression of Interest.
