By Bilesanmi Abayomi
With the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) confirming July 12 as the date for the Local Government elections, aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) are anxiously awaiting the release of the party’s official guidelines for the primaries, particularly regarding nomination fees.
Although the APC is yet to issue a formal statement, multiple party insiders have leaked details of the expected financial requirements. These unconfirmed details, now circulating widely across party-affiliated WhatsApp platforms, suggest that Chairmanship aspirants may be required to pay N5 million for the nomination form and an additional N500,000 for the expression of interest form. Councilorship hopefuls are expected to pay N1 million and N500,000 respectively.
However, in what appears to be an attempt to promote inclusivity, youth and female aspirants may enjoy a concession, with their nomination fee pegged at N500,000, alongside the standard N500,000 expression of interest fee. All fees, according to sources, are non-refundable.
KosofePost learned that a leading Chairmanship aspirant has already raised over N10 million through contributions from community stakeholders and supporters to cover nomination fees and fund campaign activities.
Party insiders disclosed that the official APC primary election guidelines may be released by midweek, following the Easter celebrations.
Amid the growing uncertainty, some aspirants have reportedly shifted focus to the Vice Chairmanship position in a bid to avoid being edged out by what they describe as “party supremacy.” Others continue to lobby for strategic appointments or inclusion in negotiation processes.
As consultations deepen and political maneuvering intensifies, major Chairmanship hopefuls are extending their outreach beyond their immediate constituencies, amid fears that party kingmakers may favour loyalists in line with longstanding internal traditions.
All eyes remain on the APC leadership as stakeholders and aspirants await the formal release of the primary election framework that will shape the July polls.