APC bye-election form fees fixed at N20m for Senate, N10m for House of Reps, as party rolls out full timetable and discounts for youths and women

APC bye-election form fees have stirred reactions following the party’s official announcement of costs ahead of the 2025 legislative polls.

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The All Progressives Congress revealed on Monday that aspirants for Senate seats will pay a total of N20 million, while House of Representatives aspirants are expected to part with N10 million.

This was made public in the party’s timetable and schedule of activities released in Abuja and signed by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu.

According to the breakdown, the Expression of Interest Form for the Senate costs N3 million, while the Nomination Form will cost N17 million.

For the House of Representatives, aspirants will pay N1 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N9 million for the Nomination Form.

State House of Assembly hopefuls will pay N500,000 for the Expression of Interest Form and N1.5 million for the Nomination Form, bringing their total to N2 million.

Despite the steep fees, the APC disclosed some concessions. Female aspirants and persons with disabilities will only be required to pay for the Expression of Interest Form, as the Nomination Form will be issued to them at no cost.

Youths between the ages of 25 and 40 will receive a 50 per cent discount on the Nomination Form fees, a move expected to encourage wider participation.

“The party is committed to conducting transparent primaries that comply with the Electoral Act,” Argungu said in the official statement.

He urged aspirants and members to adhere strictly to the laid-down guidelines and timelines, warning that only financial members who have paid their dues up to July 2025 and are listed on the membership register would be allowed to contest or vote.

Forms are currently available at the Directorate of Organisation on the second floor of the APC National Headquarters in Wuse II, Abuja.

Delegate forms, required by those wishing to vote at the party’s congresses, will cost N5,000. Delegates must also be financial members with at least three months’ dues, paid at N200 per month.

The schedule of activities kicks off with the notice of election to state chapters on Monday, June 30. Revalidation and membership updates are to run from Tuesday, July 1 to Saturday, July 5. The sale of forms is also slated for that period.

According to Argungu, completed forms and required documents must be submitted by Monday, July 7. Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Thursday, July 10.

Primaries will hold between July 22 and July 26, with final candidate names to be published on Saturday, July 26.

Campaign activities will officially commence on Saturday, July 26 and conclude on Thursday, August 14, ahead of the bye-elections scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025.

A party member who preferred not to be named questioned the high cost of nomination. “This is democracy, not a rich man’s club. The fees may shut out credible grassroots politicians,” he said.

However, the APC leadership maintains that the fees are consistent with previous internal policies and necessary to ensure credible and well-organised primary elections.

Still, political observers believe the cost might deter young or less financially buoyant aspirants, even with the youth discount in place.

The APC bye-election form fees have reignited debate around the monetisation of Nigeria’s electoral processes and the accessibility of leadership positions to all social classes.