High Cost Of Nomination Forms Laying Foundation For Corruption – AD

The Alliance for Democracy (AD) says the high cost of nominations forms for aspirants in some political parties could lay foundation for corruption.

The party, in a statement released on Sunday noted that the price tag could turn politics into a business, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

“If occupying elective office requires selling of properties or acquiring loans, some of the members of the political class will see an elective position as a business and an opportunity to increase their wealth,” according to the statement signed by Rafiu Salau, the party’s National Secretary.

“The high cost of these forms will turn politics to business and that is a sure foundation for corruption.

“Alliance for Democracy does not see politics as business. It is for the service of the people. Contesting for elective positions is to contribute to the development of the constituencies in particular, and the nation in general,” the statement read.

While the ruling party has agreed on President Goodluck Jonathan as the Peoples Democratic Party’s consensus candidate for the 2015 presidential election, the president will have to pay N20 million for the party’s nomination form. The All Progressives Congress (APC) on the other hand, sold its presidential nomination form for N27m. AD however said it was giving out its forms free to all aspirants vying for positions.

The party said its decision was because “the elective positions are not for the candidates, but the people.”