In a press statement from Abuja, the APC disowned a circulating 2027 form price list as election fever starts, clarifying that no such decision has been reached by the newly ratified National Working Committee (NWC). The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially hit back at viral reports claiming it had fixed astronomical prices for its expression of interest and nomination forms.
The rumors, which gained massive traction on Friday, alleged that presidential hopefuls would need to cough up ₦200 million just to pick up a form, while state assembly aspirants were reportedly being billed ₦20 million. National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka was quick to shut down the chatter, stating categorically that the report was “FAKE” and did not emanate from the party.
New Leadership Amidst Growing Tension
The denial comes on the heels of the APC’s 8th National Convention at Eagle Square, where Nentawe Yilwatda emerged as the National Chairman via a consensus arrangement. Despite the display of unity with President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in attendance. Along with Yilwatda, Surajudeen Basiru was picked as Secretary, while Felix Morka and Dayo Israel retained their influential positions.
The “Price” of Ambition
While the party claims the list is a fabrication, history shows that nomination fees often become a barrier for younger, less-funded aspirants, making the current “disowned” list a sensitive point of debate. The party has urged the media and the public to disregard any information regarding election pricing that does not come directly from its official channels.
A Strategic Denial?
From my perspective, the speed with which APC disowned their former price is a clear sign that the party is desperate to manage public perception. With the economy in a fragile state, the idea of a ₦200 million form fee would be a PR nightmare, painting the party as a club for only the ultra-wealthy.
However, “election fever” is hard to cure. Even with the INEC denying a formal timetable, the jockeying for position within the APC is already visible. By disowning the list now, the party buys itself time to gauge the reaction of the public and potential donors before setting the real prices later this year. It’s a classic case of testing the waters and then pulling back when the temperature gets too hot.
