Politics For The Rich? The Reality Behind APC Nomination Fees -By Turaki Abdulhamid Yahya

In any true democracy, political participation should be open, competitive, and accessibl, not reserved for a privileged few. Yet, the rising cost of nomination and interest forms within Nigeria’s political parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC), tells a different story. With fees running into tens and hundreds of millions of naira, the gateway into leadership is increasingly defined not by competence, vision, or patriotism, but by financial capacity.

The figures displayed for APC nomination and interest forms are not just numbers, they are a loud statement about the structure of political participation in Nigeria. When a presidential form costs ₦200 million, governorship ₦150 million, Senate ₦100 million, House of Reps, N70 million and even a state assembly seat goes for ₦20 million, one must ask: who exactly is this political space designed for? Certainly not the average Nigerian youth struggling to find stability in a harsh economic climate.

This reality raises a critical question: who truly has the opportunity to lead? For the average Nigerian youth—full of ideas, energy, and ambition, the political arena appears distant and exclusionary. The system, as it stands, seems structured in a way that prioritizes wealth over merit, creating a dangerous imbalance in representation and participation.
As the cost of politics continues to rise, it becomes imperative to confront the implications of this trend, not just for today’s democracy, but for the future of youth involvement in governance.

However, the future is not completely closed. It is being delayed, not denied. Today’s youth must play the long game. Focus on growth, build capacity, understand the system, and position yourself strategically. Tomorrow’s political landscape can still be influenced by those who prepare today.

Let’s be honest: jumping into high-stakes politics without preparation is like entering a race you were never equipped to run. Many who dominate the political space today did not start yesterday, they built influence over time, often through wealth, networks, or family legacy. That is why it increasingly appears that “their children will come back and rule.” Not necessarily because they are better, but because they inherit structure and access.

So this is the clarion call: Do not be distracted by a system that is not yet ready for you, prepare yourself until you are too powerful to be ignored. Politics may not favor the young starter today, but the future will belong to those who refused to remain unprepared.