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Outcry as Ebonyi APC fixes LG chairmanship form at N30m
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The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State has ignited widespread controversy after announcing that the nomination form for local government chairmanship positions will cost aspirants a staggering N30 million.
The decision, revealed by the state party chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, has sparked outrage among political observers, civil society groups and ordinary citizens, who argue that the exorbitant fee effectively excludes grassroots politicians and ordinary Ebonyi indigenes from contesting, turning local elections into an exclusive affair for the wealthy or well-connected.
The announcement came after a closed-door meeting with party officials from the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards.
According to Emegha, the N30 million fee covers both the expression of interest and nomination forms for chairmanship aspirants, while councillorship forms are priced at N250,000.
Sales of forms for delegates and councillors began on January 8, with chairmanship forms available from January 9 to January 19, ahead of the planned local government elections in August 2026.
According to data from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), even if a local government chairman avoids all personal expenses and saves every kobo of official salary and allowances, the total earnings over a full four-year term would still fall short of N30 million.
This has led many to describe the fee as not just prohibitive but a direct incentive for corruption, as successful candidates may view their tenure primarily as an opportunity to recoup their “investment.”
Public reaction has been swift and sharp. On social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), users have condemned the move as “moneycracy” rather than democracy.
The controversy intensified after Osbourne Umahi, the 27-year-old son of former Ebonyi State Governor and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, purchased the N30 million form to contest the Ohaozara Local Government Area chairmanship.
Supporters have praised him as a capable young politician committed to youth empowerment and infrastructure development, with the state APC chairman describing him as “intelligent” and capable of turning around the area’s fortunes.
However, critics see the move as emblematic of how the high fee favours political dynasties and those with access to significant resources or influential godfathers, further alienating average citizens.
The Ebonyi APC has defended the pricing, with some officials suggesting it ensures that only “committed” and financially viable candidates emerge.
Yet, the backlash highlights broader concerns in Nigerian politics about the commercialisation of elective offices, where nomination fees for even modest positions now rival or exceed those for higher national roles in previous election cycles.
As the form sales window closes and primaries approach, the debate rages on: is this a necessary measure for party discipline, or a deliberate barrier that undermines democratic inclusion at the most local level of governance?
For many in Ebonyi, the N30 million price tag sends a clear message — local leadership is no longer within reach of the common man.
Whether this sparks reforms or deeper divisions remains to be seen, but the uproar shows no signs of fading soon.
Security operatives have repelled a suspected bandit attack on Gangaren Makurdi Village in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The development was contained in a post shared on X by security analyst, Bakatsine on Friday.
According to the post, the suspected bandits entered the village on Thursday night, prompting residents to make a distress call to security authorities.
Troops of the 17 Brigade, working together with members of the Vigilante Group and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), responded quickly to the emergency.
The swift deployment of the joint security team reportedly forced the attackers to flee before they could carry out any attack on the community.
“Last night, bandits entered Gangaren Makurdi village in Bakori LGA of Katsina State, prompting a distress alert to security authorities.
“Troops of 17 Brigade, in collaboration with Vigilante Group and CJTF operatives, responded swiftly. Their rapid deployment forced the bandits to flee before they could carry out an attack.
“Kudos to the troops, Vigilante Group and CJTF operatives for their swift response, professionalism and commitment to protecting lives and communities,” Bakatsine wrote.
The Vice President of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, on Thursday, narrowly escaped unhurt after a Zambian Air Force helicopter carrying her crashed shortly after take-off in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province.
According to Zambian authorities, Nalumango was travelling with seven other people when the aircraft went down.
All eight occupants survived the incident without injuries.
An investigation has also been launched to determine what led to the accident, but authorities have confirmed that everyone aboard the aircraft is safe.
The vice-president had been in the northern district on official duties before the incident.
In other news, a Zambian court has sentenced Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema.News
The two men were arrested in December 2025 after being found with charms, including a live chameleon, which prosecutors said were intended for a deadly ritual.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Fine Mayambu described the convicts as a danger to society.
“It is my considered view that the convicts were not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians,” he said.
The court heard that a fugitive former MP allegedly hired the men. Despite claiming to be traditional healers, they were convicted on two counts under the Witchcraft Act.
Magistrate Mayambu said the accused admitted owning the charms and even demonstrated how they intended to use them.
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, have foiled coordinated infiltration attempts by suspected ISWAP terrorists targeting parts of Maiduguri and Buratai axis of Borno State, forcing the insurgents to retreat after intense engagements.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted via X on Friday.
It said that the attempted attacks took place between 12:20 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. on Friday, when the terrorists simultaneously advanced toward Muna Garage, Shuwari Village and the Ajilari Cross area in an apparent bid to gain access into the Maiduguri metropolis.
According to the army, its troops, supported by an effective early warning system, detected the movement of the insurgents and engaged them from multiple directions with heavy and accurate fire, disrupting the coordinated assault before the terrorists could penetrate the city.
It further stated that the terrorists, overwhelmed by the troops’ swift tactical response, abandoned their mission and fled in disarray.
In related operations, troops also repelled separate infiltration attempts by the insurgents at Miringa and Dutsen Kura in the Buratai area of Borno State.
During the pursuit of the fleeing terrorists at Miringa, a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, MRAP, vehicle activated an Improvised Explosive Device, IED.
However, no casualty was recorded among the troops, and the operational situation remained stable.
The military reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI would continue sustained offensive operations aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of movement and safeguarding lives and property across the North-East.
It also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Security operatives foil bandit attack in Katsina, force suspected terrorists to flee
Vice President narrowly escapes Military helicopter crash
Joint troop foil multiple ISWAP infiltration attempts in Borno
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