By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- THE Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC has slashed its nomination forms to boost the inclusion of women, youths, and persons living with disabilities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to NDC, it was taking direct aim at the culture of money-driven politics in Nigeria by introducing discounted nomination fees, just as it said that the decision was designed to open up the political space to groups often excluded by the high financial cost of contesting elections.
In a statement yesterday by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC maintained that democracy should not be reserved for wealthy politicians alone.
“The fact that someone is young and may not be a money bag or is disadvantaged by some physical disabilities should not shut him or her from contributing their quota to nation-building,” Enekweizu said.
The party noted that many young Nigerians, women, and persons living with disabilities possess the capacity to lead but are frequently discouraged by financial barriers and social limitations.
As part of the initiative, women aspirants and youths between 18 and 35 years will pay only 50 percent of the official fees for both Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, while Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) will pay just 25 percent of the advertised costs.
The NDC also described the policy as a form of affirmative action aimed at correcting longstanding political imbalance, especially against women.
According to the statement, women have continued to face cultural and systemic disadvantages that limit their participation in governance and elective politics.
“Women, due to cultural and other inhibitions, have also been largely receiving the short end of the democracy stick. They, therefore, need some form of affirmative action to give them the needed push to participate and contest,” the statement added.
The party further argued that Nigeria cannot afford to marginalise nearly half of its population from democratic participation, insisting that broader inclusion would strengthen governance and national development.
The NDC clarified that Presidential, Governorship, and National Assembly forms would be obtained at its National Secretariat in Abuja, while State House of Assembly forms would be available through party offices across the states.
The move is expected to spark wider conversations around the rising cost of political participation in Nigeria and growing calls for reforms that make elections more accessible to ordinary citizens.
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