The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State has ignited widespread controversy after announcing that the nomination form for local government chairmanship positions will cost aspirants a staggering N30 million.

The decision, revealed by the state party chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, has sparked outrage among political observers, civil society groups and ordinary citizens, who argue that the exorbitant fee effectively excludes grassroots politicians and ordinary Ebonyi indigenes from contesting, turning local elections into an exclusive affair for the wealthy or well-connected.

The announcement came after a closed-door meeting with party officials from the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards.

According to Emegha, the N30 million fee covers both the expression of interest and nomination forms for chairmanship aspirants, while councillorship forms are priced at N250,000.

Sales of forms for delegates and councillors began on January 8, with chairmanship forms available from January 9 to January 19, ahead of the planned local government elections in August 2026.

According to data from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), even if a local government chairman avoids all personal expenses and saves every kobo of official salary and allowances, the total earnings over a full four-year term would still fall short of N30 million.

This has led many to describe the fee as not just prohibitive but a direct incentive for corruption, as successful candidates may view their tenure primarily as an opportunity to recoup their “investment.”

Public reaction has been swift and sharp. On social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), users have condemned the move as “moneycracy” rather than democracy.

The controversy intensified after Osbourne Umahi, the 27-year-old son of former Ebonyi State Governor and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, purchased the N30 million form to contest the Ohaozara Local Government Area chairmanship.

Supporters have praised him as a capable young politician committed to youth empowerment and infrastructure development, with the state APC chairman describing him as “intelligent” and capable of turning around the area’s fortunes.

However, critics see the move as emblematic of how the high fee favours political dynasties and those with access to significant resources or influential godfathers, further alienating average citizens.

The Ebonyi APC has defended the pricing, with some officials suggesting it ensures that only “committed” and financially viable candidates emerge.

Yet, the backlash highlights broader concerns in Nigerian politics about the commercialisation of elective offices, where nomination fees for even modest positions now rival or exceed those for higher national roles in previous election cycles.

As the form sales window closes and primaries approach, the debate rages on: is this a necessary measure for party discipline, or a deliberate barrier that undermines democratic inclusion at the most local level of governance?

For many in Ebonyi, the N30 million price tag sends a clear message — local leadership is no longer within reach of the common man.

Whether this sparks reforms or deeper divisions remains to be seen, but the uproar shows no signs of fading soon.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, have engaged in a public exchange over the legality and humanitarian implications of the recent demolition exercise in the Makoko area of the state.

Ezekwesili faulted both the Federal and Lagos State governments, describing the demolitions as unconstitutional, inhumane and a form of state-backed oppression against vulnerable communities.

In response, the governor rejected the accusations and instead alleged that some local and international non-governmental organisations, NGOs, were exploiting the situation for financial gain.

In a detailed memorandum addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu, Ezekwesili accused authorities of abusing state power to dispossess some of the country’s poorest citizens under the pretext of safety concerns and urban renewal.

She raised questions about governance and citizenship, asking whether Lagos operates as a community of equal citizens or as a space where economic value outweighs human dignity. She further questioned whether Nigeria’s democratic framework protects all citizens or only those with economic privilege.

According to Ezekwesili, residents of Makoko, many of whom rely on fishing, informal trading and small-scale businesses, are not illegal settlers but Nigerian citizens whose rights have been consistently undermined because of their socioeconomic status.

She argued that years of neglect and repeated demolitions have fostered a pattern where poverty is treated as grounds for exclusion from citizenship rights.

The former minister, who founded the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, SPPG, stated that the latest demolition contradicted earlier assurances by Lagos State officials.

She said community leaders were initially informed that only structures located within a 30 to 50-metre safety buffer around high-tension power lines would be affected, an understanding under which residents reportedly cooperated.

However, she alleged that the scope of demolition later expanded significantly, extending hundreds of metres beyond the agreed limits and affecting homes, schools, clinics and sources of livelihood that posed no safety threat.

“A government that alters agreed conditions mid-operation and widens demolition boundaries without notice is not enforcing the law but abusing its authority,” Ezekwesili said.

She further claimed that the operation resulted in fatalities and likened the incident to a forceful land seizure designed to serve elite interests.

According to her, the demolitions were not genuinely motivated by safety or urban planning considerations but amounted to what she described as “class cleansing” of poor communities from valuable waterfront areas.

Ezekwesili warned that the exercise had triggered a humanitarian emergency, displacing thousands of families, disrupting children’s education and exposing vulnerable groups to hunger, disease and insecurity. She argued that once government actions create homelessness, the state bears an immediate constitutional and moral responsibility to provide care and protection.

Responding to the criticism, Governor Sanwo-Olu told journalists that the state government was scrutinising the activities of certain NGOs involved in the matter and would present evidence to support its claims.

“We are aware that some local and international NGOs are attempting to profit from this situation. We are monitoring them and will provide evidence,” the governor said.

He alleged that the organisations had secured significant funding from international donors in the name of supporting affected communities but failed to deliver tangible assistance.

“They have received substantial grants and resources, yet they have not fulfilled the commitments they made. What we are seeing is an attempt to cover up those failures,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

According to the governor, the alleged profiteering partly explains the intensity of criticism directed at the state government.

“That is why some people are protesting louder than those directly affected. We are prepared to confront these issues and explain why certain decisions had to be taken,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu maintained that the demolition exercise was necessary and justified, insisting that it was carried out primarily to safeguard lives due to the dangers posed by illegal structures erected beneath high-tension power lines.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in 19 Northern States and the FCT, Joseph John Hayab, has thrown more light on the alleged abduction of over 170 worshippers in three Kaduna churches.

Speaking during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, a programme on Arise Television, Hayab stated that the moment the abduction happened, security agencies were informed.

He was speaking on conflicting reports that trailed the alleged kidnapping of Christians.

The cleric said: “I think one of the reasons you are seeing figures flying today is because in the communication yesterday, in order to refute the story, there was a claim that, okay, if it really happened, show us the name.

“And before 5am the names were already flying everywhere. The truth is that a lot of people were kidnapped.

“So what we keep discussing with the government is that let’s not debate too much about number. Let’s focus about- ‘were people kidnapped?’ Yes! Some had to escape and return.
“The moment the incident happened, security agencies were informed. I think that’s why we were worried and angry. How could security agencies be informed and only to come out later and deny?

“Although these security agencies were informed, they later issued a denial. They sent a signal about this, but they keep denying it happened.

“The Council chairman of the area was even the first to give us the figure because we didn’t have the figure. The Christian Association has a fantastic network.

“Before I will ever say a word, I have more than enough evidence to prove that the story is true. I have done that for decades and never failed and won’t fail even on this one.

“Let me say the security agencies are mistaking information because if I say they are withholding, it will be bad for their image. However, sensitive issues like this must be treated thoroughly.”

Benue State House of Assembly has given its approval to a new bill establishing the Benue State Widows Commission, aimed at ending abusive cultural practices targeted at widows and shielding them from all forms of exploitation.

The legislation, officially titled “A law to establish the Benue State Widows Commission and for Related Purposes, 2025,” scaled through its final reading on Tuesday during plenary in Makurdi.

During deliberations, Beckie Orpin, who heads the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare, stressed that the proposed commission is crucial because widows remain among the most at-risk groups in the state.

She noted that the assembly, through the passage of the bill, has reaffirmed its constitutional mandate to defend vulnerable citizens.

Thomas Dugeri, the majority leader, thereafter moved the motion for the adoption of the committee’s report, recommendations, and every clause contained in the bill. Following this, Speaker Alfred Emberga instructed the clerk, Bem Mela, to conduct the third reading, after which the bill was passed.

In another development, lawmakers reviewed the report of the standing committee on women affairs and social welfare after its assessment visit to the Benue State Rehabilitation Board in Apir.

Presenting the findings, Orpin disclosed that the law establishing the board is outdated and needs to be replaced. She further pointed out that the present monthly contribution of N100,000 from local government councils is insufficient for the board’s operations.

According to her, the facility is grappling with a lack of essential amenities, including a functional sick bay, learning materials, and operational vehicles.

Contributing to the discussion, Dugeri described the facility’s state as deplorable, lamenting the widespread structural decay and inadequate feeding of children as a result of poor funding.

McClinton Manger, representing Tarka constituency, added that the already meagre N100,000 contribution is often not released, calling on the government to urgently intervene to safeguard the welfare of the children housed at the centre.

After considering the submission, the speaker instructed the committees on women affairs, business and rules to initiate a new bill that will repeal the 1996 edict under which the rehabilitation board currently operates.

He also revealed that the assembly had approved an increase in the board’s monthly funding from N100,000 to N1.5 million.

Additionally, he directed the commissioner for finance to ensure prompt disbursement of funds and ordered the procurement of a Toyota bus for the students and a Hilux vehicle for official duties.

Emberga further emphasised the need for adequate instructional materials to enhance teaching and learning within the facility.

Arise Television host, Rufai Oseni, has urged President Bola Tinubu against allowing the planned impeachment of Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State to scale through.

Oseni disclosed that impeaching Fubara is an indictment on Tinubu’s inability to protect governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Posting on Facebook, Oseni wrote: “If Fubara is impeached, then it’s a big indictment on President Tinubu’s ability to protect APC governors.

“Also, for those government officials that say the state of emergency was to save Fubara, that argument has been nullified by this impeachment notice.

“Despite the state of emergency, no peace and settlement, President Tinubu’s state of emergency didn’t save Fubara because an impeachment is still going ahead.

“One thing is certain currently: Wike is leading in this fight. Wike 100, President Tinubu 50.

“Will President Tinubu be able to save Fubara from Wike? Will President Tinubu side with Fubara?

“Will the Chief Judge go ahead with the process? Will the court order hold?

“Will Wike work against Tinubu and probably join the opposition? Time will tell.”