The New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) has announced its decision to withdraw from the forthcoming local government elections in Katsina State, scheduled for February 15, citing exorbitant nomination fees as the primary reason.
Confirming the party’s stance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, the NNPP State Secretary, Tijjani Zakari-Kafinsoli, stated that the fees imposed by the Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC) were unaffordable for the party.
“The KTSIEC has fixed ₦3 million for Chairmanship candidates and ₦1 million for Councillorship candidates,” Zakari-Kafinsoli explained.
READ ALSO: NNPP Elects New National Chairman
“With 34 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 361 wards in the state, the total cost for nomination forms would amount to approximately ₦463 million.”
Describing the NNPP as a party for the masses, he emphasized that such financial demands were beyond its reach. The party had previously written to KTSIEC in April 2024 to express concerns over the high fees but had yet to receive a response.
Zakari-Kafinsoli also revealed that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had taken legal action against the electoral commission over the same issue.
This development marks a stark contrast to NNPP’s earlier confidence in securing Chairmanship and Councillorship positions, as expressed on August 31, 2024.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Will Go For Second Term, He Is Doing Very Well- Ganduje
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission Chairman, Alhaji Lawal Faskari, disclosed that only five political parties would be participating in the elections.
These include the Accord Party, Booth Party, African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Additionally, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and 11 other registered parties have also opted out of the elections.
Despite the boycott by major opposition parties, Faskari assured the public that all necessary arrangements had been finalized to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process.