Ogun LG Polls: ADC Condemns OGISIEC’s N250,000 Fee, Calls it an ‘Electoral Extortion

African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State has strongly opposed the N250,000 nomination fee imposed by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGISEC) for the upcoming local government elections.

On Thursday, OGISIEC announced during a stakeholder meeting that each chairmanship candidate must pay N250,000 to participate in the November 16, 2024, election. Additionally, male councillorship candidates are required to pay N150,000, while their female counterparts will pay N100,000.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the ADC’s State Chairman, Itunu Abioro, the party criticized the fees as “exorbitant and unacceptable.” Abioro accused OGISIEC of trying to manipulate the electoral process for personal financial gain.

“We vehemently reject this unjust and extortionate demand by OGSIEC and assert that as a party, we will not succumb to this fraudulent act,” the statement reads. “It is disheartening that OGISIEC is extorting aspiring candidates and exploiting the democratic process to generate funds for the governor.”

The ADC also questioned the fairness of the fee, citing that when the governor contested in elections, he was not required to pay any fee to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The statement added that elected Ogun State House of Assembly members were similarly exempt from such charges.

“Such discriminatory practices tarnish the credibility of the electoral process,” Abioro continued. “If OGISIEC intends to exclude other political parties from participating, they should openly declare their intentions rather than hiding behind unjust administrative charges.”

The ADC called on other political parties, civil society organizations, and the public to join in condemning the fee. “Together, let us protect the integrity of our democratic system and ensure that the voice of the people is not silenced through extortion,” the statement concluded.