A wave of reactions has continued to trail reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have pegged its nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 general elections at significantly high amounts, raising concerns over inclusivity and fairness in the nation’s political space.

According to reports circulating on social media, the party is said to have fixed its presidential nomination and expression of interest form at ₦200 million.

The governorship form is reportedly set at ₦150 million, while aspirants for the Senate may pay ₦100 million.

Those eyeing seats in the House of Representatives could part with ₦70 million, while State House of Assembly hopefuls may pay ₦20 million.

Although the figures have yet to receive official confirmation from the party leadership, the development has already sparked debate among stakeholders, civil society groups, and political observers.

Critics argue that such high costs, if confirmed, could further shrink Nigeria’s democratic space by limiting participation to the wealthy elite, thereby excluding capable but less financially endowed aspirants.

They warn that monetising access to the ballot risks undermining merit, competence, and grassroots representation.

Others, however, contend that political parties often use nomination fees as a strategy to manage the number of aspirants and fund party activities, though they acknowledge the need for a balance to ensure broader participation.

At the time of filing this report, there is no official statement from the party on the matter.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has blamed the ongoing turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the controversial Ibadan national convention, insisting the crisis could have been avoided if party leaders had heeded repeated warnings.

Speaking on a Channels Television programme, Saraki said, “I screamed, I shouted at that time and said, look, don’t let us go and do this convention. The best thing for us was to have a caretaker committee.”

Saraki, who chaired the PDP reconciliation committee at the time, explained that the party entered the convention without resolving critical internal disputes, including incomplete congresses in several states and disagreements over the zoning of party offices.

“The purpose of going to Ibadan was for everyone to be on board and agree on what we were going to do. When you go to conventions, it should be affirmation. You should have resolved issues behind the scenes,” he added.

According to Saraki, ignoring these gaps directly triggered the current legal battles and factional splits within the party. “We said, ‘Don’t go to Ibadan. Don’t go.’ If we had listened, we would not have this crisis today,” he said.

He further highlighted the efforts of his committee in holding the party together, mediating among governors, former governors, and other stakeholders to maintain unity.

“We were the last party that stayed together without being divided into factions. We avoided all the booby traps along the way,” Saraki said.

The Ibadan convention, held in November 2025 by a faction loyal to Kabiru Turaki, has since become the epicenter of legal disputes.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja recently upheld a lower court ruling restraining the PDP from conducting the convention, citing procedural violations, including the failure to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Saraki warned that if the lingering crisis is not urgently addressed, it could weaken the PDP ahead of upcoming elections.

Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has passed away, the family confirmed on Friday. Details surrounding her death remain sketchy, but it reportedly occurred in the afternoon.

Her grandson, Hon Bello El-Rufai, broke the news on Facebook, writing: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came and to Him we shall all return. My Grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, passed away a few hours ago. She is the biological mother of our father, Mallam Nasir @elrufai. We are grateful for the life she lived and pray Allah SWT bless her gentle soul. We also ask for your prayers on behalf of our family.”

The news comes at a challenging time for El-Rufai, who is currently in custody.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned him on a 10-count charge relating to alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by Judge Rilwanu Aikawa, adjourned the hearing of his bail application to March 31 after considering arguments from both the defence and prosecution.

Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has passed away, the family confirmed on Friday. Details surrounding her death remain sketchy, but it reportedly occurred in the afternoon.

Her grandson, Hon Bello El-Rufai, broke the news on Facebook, writing: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came and to Him we shall all return. My Grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, passed away a few hours ago. She is the biological mother of our father, Mallam Nasir @elrufai. We are grateful for the life she lived and pray Allah SWT bless her gentle soul. We also ask for your prayers on behalf of our family.”

The news comes at a challenging time for El-Rufai, who is currently in custody.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned him on a 10-count charge relating to alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by Judge Rilwanu Aikawa, adjourned the hearing of his bail application to March 31 after considering arguments from both the defence and prosecution.

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Fubara Dagogo has been suspended indefinitely by the party following allegations of gross misconduct and anti-party activities.

The suspension was issued by the Ward 4 executive committee in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.

Dagogo had earlier approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to halt the party’s planned convention, claiming he was unfairly excluded from contesting for the position of National Vice-Chairman, Southsouth.

He alleged that after paying N5.1 million for the nomination form, the party refused to issue it.

Dagogo also demanded N100 million in damages for wrongful exclusion.

The Ward 4 APC Chairman, Richard Ibani, said the suspension was approved at a committee meeting on March 16 and signed by all 21 members of the executive committee, including Secretary Donald Jumbo.

Dagogo was accused of breaching the APC constitution, engaging in anti-party activities, making statements that could embarrass the party, flouting party rules, and demeaning party leaders within and outside the state. The committee cited violations of Article 21.2 (I), (II), and (VII) of the 2022 APC Constitution (as amended).

The committee emphasized that members had been repeatedly warned against actions capable of ridiculing the party, but Dagogo’s recent conduct showed disregard for party rules.

“Your suspension is with immediate effect,” the committee stated, urging the state secretariat to enforce the resolution.