By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has rejected the new fees imposed by the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) for candidates in the November 8 local government elections, describing the move as unconstitutional and a ploy to disenfranchise opposition parties.
APC Chairman, Barr. Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi, told journalists in Jalingo on Monday that TSIEC had fixed ₦1 million for chairmanship candidates and ₦500,000 for vice chairmanship aspirants. Female vice chairmanship hopefuls are to pay ₦250,000, while male councillorship candidates will pay ₦150,000 and female candidates ₦75,000. Persons with disabilities are exempted.
El-Sudi argued that the imposition of such fees contravenes constitutional provisions and Supreme Court rulings, warning that the APC would head to court if TSIEC failed to withdraw the guidelines.
“This is not a law. It is a guideline and should be withdrawn. The Supreme Court is clear that no electoral body should impose such conditions on candidates,” he said.
The APC chairman accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of colluding with TSIEC, alleging that PDP candidates would be exempted from paying the fees, with deductions instead made from their salaries if elected.
He also appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas to intervene and direct TSIEC to delete the provision, stressing that the high cost of participation would stifle democracy in the state.
In addition, El-Sudi called on the Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue Services to reduce the cost of tax clearance certificates, another requirement for aspirants. He described the current charges—₦1 million for chairmanship candidates and ₦500,000 for councillorship candidates—as exorbitant in the face of economic hardship.
The APC insisted that unless the provisions are reversed, it would seek judicial redress to protect the rights of candidates and ensure a level playing field in the November polls.
