Accord Party Slashes Nomination Costs With Massive Waivers For Women, Youth

The Accord Party, under the leadership of its National Chairman, Chris Imumolen, has announced its nomination and expression of interest fees for the 2027 general elections, but the real headline is the sweeping waivers designed to open the political space to more Nigerians who would typically be priced out of the process.

The decision, finalized at the party’s National Executive Council meeting and disclosed by the National Chairman, Prof ChrisImumolen, introduces one of the most aggressive inclusivity policies seen in Nigeria’s political landscape in recent years.

While the fees themselves remain competitive—₦20 million for presidential nomination forms and ₦10 million for expression of interest, with lower tiers for governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly seats—the party has significantly reduced the actual financial burden for key groups.

Women and persons living with disabilities stand to benefit the most, receiving a 70 percent waiver on both nomination and expression of interest fees.

This means that female aspirants and PLWDs interested in positions from the State House of Assembly to the presidency will pay just a fraction of the official cost, a move the party says is aimed at correcting long-standing gender and accessibility gaps in Nigerian politics.

Youth participation has also been strongly incentivized, with aspirants below the age of 40 granted a 50 percent waiver across all categories.

The policy effectively cuts the cost of entry in half for younger Nigerians, a demographic that has often complained about systemic exclusion due to high nomination fees imposed by major political parties.

Imumolen described the initiative as a deliberate strategy to “empower underrepresented groups and encourage wider political participation,” noting that the party is committed to building a platform where competence and vision are not overshadowed by financial barriers.

The waivers align with the party’s broader objective of promoting equity and inclusiveness in governance.

Despite the generous concessions, the party has maintained a firm timeline for its electoral process, warning that the window for participation will close on April 25, with membership registration and the purchase of forms ending on April 26.

The early deadline signals a push for organizational discipline and preparedness ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reinforcing the party’s position, Chris Imumolen emphasized that the Accord Party is positioning itself as a viable alternative for Nigerians seeking change, particularly in politically strategic areas like Lagos.

With its combination of moderate fees and substantial waivers, the party appears to be targeting a broader, more diverse pool of aspirants, potentially reshaping the dynamics of candidate selection ahead of the next general elections.