George Alli Raises Alarm Over ₦20 Million Nomination Fee for Benue Assembly Seat

 

A former Otukpo Council Boss, Honourable George Alli, has raised concerns over the sharp increase in the cost of nomination forms for political offices, describing it as a major barrier for young aspirants.

Alli, who previously served as Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, reflected on his political journey, noting that when he contested for the state assembly seat in 2003 as a young man in his twenties, the cost of expression of interest and nomination forms was less than ₦100,000.

He expressed alarm at the current situation, revealing that as of 2026, nomination forms for the same position reportedly cost as high as ₦20 million, according to information released by a political party.

Describing the increase as “huge,” Alli warned that such high fees could discourage young and capable individuals from participating in the political process.

He called on political parties to take into account the prevailing economic realities and make nomination forms more affordable, stressing the need to create opportunities for youth inclusion in governance.

“All political parties should consider reducing the cost of nomination forms to enable young people to actively participate in shaping the future of our state and country,” he said.

The development has continued to generate debate among stakeholders, particularly on the need to balance party financing with inclusive political participation.

EbonyNaija MediaBlog