Politics
Oyo LG Poll: APGA demands scrapping of nomination fee
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Oyo state has written to the Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju SAN, asking the Commission to scrap the nomination form fees for the offices of Chairmen and Councillors demanded from political parties before they can participate in the upcoming local government election, Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered.
It will be recalled that OYSIEC, had earlier published guidelines for Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections in the 33 Local Government Councils of Oyo State and expressly stated that Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates of political parties are expected to pay a sum of N250,000 and N100,000 respectively before picking the nomination forms and before they can participate in the election.
However, Oyo APGA, in a letter written by its solicitors, Marvic Alpha LP Nigeria , to the OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju SAN and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, dated 14th May, 2021, submitted that it is not only outrightly illegal for the Commission to demand money from the party and indeed other political parties.
The solicitors also noted that it would amount to an unlawful act should OYSIEC disenfranchise APGA and other political parties from contesting in the local government election on the account of non payment of the requested non-refundable nomination fee.
“The acts of intended disenfranchisement on account of failure to pay the non-refundable fee by our client is against the spirit of Section 42(1)(a-b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as altered”.
Lawyers of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in a letter obtained by our reporter, further argued, “By virtue of the provision of the Constitution, is not competent to prescribe any substantive condition or conditions for the nomination, eligibility, qualification or disqualification of person contesting elections into the Local Government Areas in Oyo State either on its own or pursuant to any law enacted by the Government of Oyo State which are contrary to the provisions of the Constitution. We further submit that it is no gainsaying that what you intend doing in this case is to state extraneous conditions against the provisions stated in Sections 7(4), 106 and 107 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and now proceeded to add some foreign elements into it such as the request for non-refundable payment of N250,000 and N100,000 for Chairmanship and Councilorship respectively.”
Oyo APGA disclosed that when the Commission refused to entertain all entreaties made to it to scrap the non-refundable nomination form fee, it instituted a suit at the Oyo State High Court of Justice sitting at Ring Road, Ibadan against OYSIEC and the Attorney General of Oyo State .
The letter reads in part, “Our client informed us that despite all its protests and that of other political parties, your Commission refused to scrap the nomination form fee and went ahead to publish a Notice and Timetable of 2021 Elections into Thirty Three (33) Local Government Councils in Oyo State which also included the prescribed fee of N100,000 and N250,OOO for the offices of Councillors and Chairmen respectively. After doing this, our client informed us that you invited it and other political parties to another meeting on 23rd February, 2021 for the purpose of looking at the notice and timetable of the election over again. Our client insists that it is not going to be part of the illegality your Commission wants to perpetrate by asking for financial deposits against the provisions of the Constitution and plethora of case laws.
“Our client informed us that at another forum on 2nd March 2021 held at your Commission’s Conference Room, the issue of nomination form fee was raised by the State Chairman of our client wherein he implored you to look into the matter as it has the tendency of disenfranchising lots of our client’s candidates and prevent them from picking nomination forms to participate in the elections. Our client also complained about the screening and verification exercise to be conducted by your Commission pursuant to the provisions of your Guideline and against the provisions of the Constitution but you rejected this saying that your Commission is so empowered under the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2000.
“However, our client informed us that you promised to look into the matter. On the basis of your Commission’s assurance, our client directed its Oyo State structure to get ready to participate in the 2021 local government election into the Chairmanship and Councillorship positions. Our client caused a letter to be forwarded to your Commission indicating its desire to conduct primary elections in readiness for the local government election and requesting your Commission’s presence as observers. In actual fact, your Commission duly acknowledged the said letter. Our client was able to conduct primary elections across the 33 local governments in Oyo State and presented the list of the successful candidates to your Commission and same was acknowledged.
According to the lawyers, APGA’s demand on nomination fee was in line with a court decision which the late Gani Fawehinmi and Femi Falana were part of.
It continued, “Our client informed us that there was another time when you visited its office and the issue of payment for nomination form was discussed. The National Vice Chairman (South West) of our client informed you that there is an existing court judgment procured by late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN against your Commission in suit number I/117/2004 between National Conscience Party on one side and the Attorney General of Oyo State and your Commission on the other side. In the above case, the Court per My Lord the Hon. Justice M. O. Bolaji-Yusuf held by declaring that your Commission is incompetent to prescribe conditions for the nomination, eligibility, qualification and disqualification of candidates to contest Local Government Elections in Oyo State outside the conditions stipulated by Sections 7(4), 106 and 107 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our client informed us that after showing a copy of the judgment to you, you promised to look into it and revert accordingly. Till date, nothing was done and no scrapping of nomination form fee was effected by your Commission. Our client is desirous of participating and fielding candidates to contest Chairmanship and Councillorship elections across the 33 Local Government Areas of Oyo State but only being handicapped by the nomination form fees imposed by your Commission.
“This matter is already before the court and as such, all parties ought to maintain status quo until the determination of the matter.
“The law is that once a matter is in court all parties are enjoined to abstain from any act that might impugn or affect the status quo. It will amount to a flagrant disregard of due processes for any person who has notice of a pending suit either against him or against the authority for whom he works, to embark on any activity that will defeat the essence of justice or to render the course of justice already set in motion into futility or nugatory”, it concluded.
The party, however reminded the commission that it had already submitted the list of its candidates, urging OYSIEC to reconsider its earlier position and scrap the payment of the non-refundable nomination fees, or better still put the election on hold till the final determination of the matter in court.
With Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election drawing closer, fresh political alignments are taking shape, with various stakeholders strategising to position their preferred candidates for the race to Aso Rock. Amidst this, loyalists of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have reportedly initiated discussions with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) about a potential move by the ex-Anambra governor.
Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television and monitored by our correspondent, SDP’s National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, confirmed that Obi’s associates had approached the party to explore the possibility of his defection.
“Obi’s people came to us to say if Obi comes, would you take him? Of course, we told them: ‘Yes’. I was in that meeting. Some of them are with us, saying that they are preparing the ground, but you have to join SDP. You cannot be in the Labour Party and be telling us Obi is coming without joining us, otherwise, we can’t open our doors for you,” Agunloye stated.
Obi Remains Silent Amidst Speculations
Despite these claims, Obi himself has yet to publicly declare any intention to leave the Labour Party, the platform on which he contested the 2023 presidential election and finished as the runner-up. While his loyalists may be engaging other parties, there has been no official confirmation from the former governor regarding his political future.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, continues to enjoy significant support from his followers, many of whom believe he remains the best alternative to the ruling establishment. However, with the SDP already boasting seven presidential aspirants, the political equation could become more complex if he eventually decides to make a move.
As the countdown to 2027 intensifies, political observers are keenly watching Obi’s next steps, particularly whether he will remain with the Labour Party or seek a fresh platform to relaunch his presidential ambition.
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fiercely opposed Governor Seyi Makinde’s move to secure a fresh loan of N200 billion, describing it as reckless and detrimental to the state’s financial future. The party called on concerned Nigerians to intervene and prevail upon the governor to abandon the borrowing plan.
According to the party, it said sources had revealed that Governor Makinde sought and secured approval for the loan on Tuesday, allegedly through the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, and a few select lawmakers. It added that the governor’s request, contained in a letter dated 13th March 2025, cited the need to refinance an existing loan from a commercial bank.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Oyo APC’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, condemned the move, insisting that the governor’s borrowing spree was driving the state into a financial mess.
“Another distressing development has emerged from the Oyo State House of Assembly today. The Speaker and a handful of his loyalists have secretly approved a fraudulent loan request from the governor without the knowledge of most of their colleagues. This decision was only made public through a post-plenary document released by the Clerk of the House,” the statement read.
Sadare decried the mounting debt profile of Oyo State under Makinde, alleging that the governor had already incurred over N300 billion in loans over the last six years. He questioned why, despite such heavy borrowing, the state had little to show in terms of infrastructural development, economic growth, and agricultural advancement.
“If the previous loans had been judiciously used to improve infrastructure, build the economy, and ensure food security through a sustainable agricultural revolution, there would be no need for concern. Unfortunately, the present PDP administration has demonstrated a lack of accountability and is determined to mortgage the future of Oyo State,” he said.
The APC spokesman further questioned the rationale behind the fresh loan request, citing the substantial revenue inflows into the state’s coffers.
“For the record, Governor Makinde receives an average of N11 billion in federal allocation and another N11 billion on behalf of the 33 local government councils. In addition, the state generates no less than N3 billion in Internally Generated Revenue, bringing the total monthly revenue to at least N25 billion. The critical question now is: what exactly is he doing with this massive income, and why does Oyo still need another huge loan?”
Sadare accused the governor of failing to prioritise essential needs despite the available funds, lamenting that workers in state-owned tertiary institutions were not being paid a living wage, while key sectors such as emergency response, agriculture, and education remained neglected.
“Oyo State cannot even afford five fully functional fire trucks to tackle emergencies. Farmers lack access to modern equipment, while the state’s public schools are deteriorating rapidly. Yet, Governor Makinde, who has failed to complete an ordinary bus terminal after allegedly spending N20 billion, has now set his sights on an airport upgrade project as another means to siphon public funds,” he added.
The APC spokesman also took a swipe at Speaker Ogundoyin, accusing him of acting as a rubber stamp for the governor’s financial dealings.
“The manner in which this N200 billion loan was hurriedly approved exposes the Speaker as a willing accomplice in Makinde’s financial recklessness. However, justice will eventually prevail, and no one involved in this dubious scheme will escape accountability,” Sadare warned.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get a reaction from the Oyo State government and the Speaker of the House of Assembly were unsuccessful.
A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jandor announced his return to the ruling party at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, approximately two weeks after resigning from the PDP.
In his address, he explained his decision, stating that APC prioritises electoral victory regardless of the candidate.
“We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress, APC,” he declared.
Anticipating criticism over his political move, he referenced a Yoruba proverb, saying:
“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons why I dumped APC, I want to say that there is a Yoruba adage that says, if a woman has not tried two husbands, she would not know which one is better.”
Jandor had previously left the PDP on 3rd March 2025, citing what he described as anti-party activities by some leaders in Lagos State.
“We were waiting to see if the party at the national level, governed by its constitution, would address these anti-party activities. Instead of sanctions, the same individual was appointed Vice Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee,” he said at the time.
Following his resignation from the PDP, Jandor met with several political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Jandor’s political journey began with the APC, where he led the Lagos4Lagos Movement before defecting in 2022. He joined the PDP ahead of the 2023 governorship election and became the party’s flagbearer in Lagos, but lost to APC’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
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