2019 Presidential hopeful, Adamu Garba pulls out of race due to exorbitant nomination form fee
Presidential hopeful, Adamu Garba II has pulled out of the 2019 race over APC’s exorbitant nomination form fee.
The party’s presidential nomination form costs N45 million, while that of the governors costs N22.5 million.
Many Nigerians have said the exorbitant charge was a catalyst for corruption.
Garba said Tuesday evening that he couldn’t justify the fee as it set a bad precedent for the next generation of politicians.
“I consider taking such a step to set a bad precedent for the future of young people contesting positions in political parties, specifically the APC. Many of which currently are disenfranchised, not for lack of competence, character or capability, but on the monetary ground,” he said.
“We deem it fit to go in solidarity with other young people, who due to over monetization of the political space in Nigeria, we’re finding it hard to participate. We take this as a direct plan to sideline majority of Nigerians, particularly the youth in the coming 2019 election.
“In a country where 92% of the population is living below N60,000.00 a month & 87 million people in extreme poverty, 6 people get to extreme poverty level per minute, we consider such amount to be insensitive to the feelings of most Nigerians, currently going through hard times.
“My conscience does not reconcile with the fact that we put such amount in a country that needs consideration for the poor, encouragement for the youth to participate in politics and, a progressive party that will bring about inclusive governance based on capacity, not money.
“We understand that the party needs to generate fund to carry on with its obligations, but parties generate fund from other sources, like memberships, etc not from the candidate. Such practice will eventually encourage public servant to be corrupt prone, once in office,” he added.
