High cost of nomination forms: PDP, APC, others institutionalizing corruption in Nigeria, says Nwadike

A frontline Senatorial hopeful in Imo state on the platform of the United Progressive Party, UPP, Comrade Precious Nwadike, has taken a swipe on the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and other major opposition political parties in Nigeria, over the high cost of Nomination forms which he described as outrageous, unpatriotic and targeted at frustrating young people with decent background from effectively participating in politics.
Comrade Nwadike stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Owerri, over the weekend. He said that these parties through their actions encourage corruption as those who eventually spend this much in purchasing mere party nomination forms, will first recoup their money before being answerable to the electorate. This he said has been the bane of development in Nigeria.
According to the youthful senatorial aspirant, who affirmed that, he is the most credible and experienced aspirant for the Orlu senate seat, the major political parties have shown “their indisposition to youths participation in politics and should not be taken seriously by discerning Nigerians”. According to him, “they want to deepen and engender corruption in Nigeria by the hike of party nomination form fees. They have conspired again to shut credible people out of politics which is the only possible reason to impose exorbitant fees”. He maintained that no business man who knows the worth of a million Naira to his business will accept to part with 10million naira for governorship nomination form, alone.
The acclaimed youth leader and human rights activist berated the leadership of the political parties involved, including All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and advised them to reconsider their decision and borrow a leaf from the UPP which has, in line with the spirit of “Not too young to run law”, made it’s forms free for all youths from 30 years and below and slashed their nomination form fees for others above 30 years of age.
Comrade Nwadike averred that Nigeria, remains the highest spender for elections and the economy will remain stagnant as long as politicians continue to play to the gallery, while ignoring things that matter.
Continuing,he said”more worrisome is the extortionist tendency of APGA which claims to be an Igbo party but imposed such outrageous fees on mainly Igbos who predominate the number of aspirants contesting under the platform.
Besides, Comrade Precious Nwadike, other concerned Nigerians have spoken out against high party nomination fees,including President Muhammadu Buhari, whose party APC, fixed presidential nomination form fee at N55 million.