The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State has announced a 50 percent reduction in the cost of nomination forms for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) ahead of the forthcoming local government elections slated for December 13.
Addressing journalists in Maiduguri, the state chairman of the party, Bello Ayuba, said the decision was taken to give the two groups a 50% reduction from the standard fee to encourage wider participation and promote inclusion.
According to him, the party set the cost of councillorship forms for women and PWDs at N250,000, while chairmanship forms would cost N1 million. He said the standard fees of nomination for councillorship is N500,000 and N2 million for chairmanship aspirants.
Ayuba said the adjustment followed consultations with APC leadership in other states and was also informed by the current economic realities and security challenges in Borno.
“We considered the peculiar challenges our people face, particularly women and persons with disabilities, due to the insurgency and the general economic situation. The reduction is our way of ensuring equal opportunity for all,” Ayuba emphasized.