By Ismaeel Aleem
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State has halved the cost of nomination forms for women and persons with disabilities aspiring to contest in the forthcoming local government elections on 13 December, in a bid to foster greater inclusivity.
The APC State Chairman, Alhaji Bello Ayuba, disclosed this during a press conference in Maiduguri on Friday.
He announced that councillorship forms for eligible female and physically challenged aspirants would now cost N250,000, down from the standard N500,000, while chairmanship forms are reduced to N1 million from N2 million a 50 per cent subsidy across the board.
The decision, Ayuba explained, followed consultations with APC chapters in Katsina and Lagos States.
“This adjustment is designed to ensure inclusivity and provide women and persons with disabilities an equal platform to participate,” he stated, reaffirming the party’s dedication to broadening representation at the grassroots level.
Ayuba emphasised that the APC remains committed to conducting primaries that are free, fair, and transparent, with all party members afforded equal opportunities.
“Whosoever is willing to contest for chairmanship or councillorship, as long as they are members of the party, the door is open to all,” he assured.
The party has wrapped up the form purchase phase and will shortly initiate screening for aspirants vying for the 27 local government chairmanship seats and 320 ward councillorship positions.
Even in uncontested races, affirmation exercises will be held to gauge endorsement from party structures.
Post-screening and affirmation, the APC will submit its approved candidates to the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIEC) for form acquisition and election preparations.
To bolster transparency, larger oversight committees will be established across all local government areas.
Ayuba appealed for peace among members throughout the process, underscoring the APC’s resolve to uphold democratic tenets and deliver credible outcomes.
