The African Action Congress (AAC) is raising alarms about what it considers unfair fees imposed on candidates for the upcoming Local Government Area (LGA) elections in Benue State. The elections are set for October 5, 2024, but the AAC argues that the charges being levied are excessively high and unjust.
The Financial Burden
The Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has set the entry fees at N500,000 for chairmanship candidates and N250,000 for those running for councillorship positions. On top of these, additional handling charges of N115,000 for chairmanship candidates and N90,000 for councillorship candidates are reportedly being demanded.
Calls for Action
Rex I. Elanu, Chairman of the AAC, has called on Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to step in and overturn these charges. Elanu described the fees as "unruly extortion" and accused them of undermining the fairness and equity of the democratic process.
Opposition to Unfair Practices
Elanu emphasized that these charges seem designed to deter candidates who lack financial resources from running in the elections. He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to skew the democratic process in their favor by setting prohibitively high fees.
AAC’s Stance
In contrast, the AAC has taken a different approach by offering free nomination forms to its candidates. The party believes that the high cost of political participation in Nigeria should not exclude potential leaders from the democratic process.
A Call for Fairness
The AAC is urging Governor Alia to act with fairness and ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to participate in the elections, regardless of their financial situation. The party’s aim is to guarantee a level playing field in the upcoming LGA elections.
Post a Comment