Reduce fees for nomination forms, presidential aspirant urges NASS, INEC

A United States of America based Attorney who has recently shown interest to contest for the Office of President of Nigeria in the 2019 General Elections, Dr Asukwo Mendie Archibong, has called on the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to review the cost to be paid by aspirants for nomination forms to contest elective political offices, if the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” is to achieve its objective.

In a statement sent to newsmen in Abuja, Dr Archibong said the review was necessary as a majority of the youths targeted as beneficiaries of the “somewhat encouraging” bill will not be buoyant enough to contest if the cost of nomination form is not reviewed.

“A barrier to the youth is the amount to be paid for the nomination forms for the different positions”.

He, however, urged “Nigerian youths to take advantage” of the opportunity the bill offers, to “participate in politics, not as errand boys of politicians, but as voters and political aspirants themselves.”

The presidential aspirant whose statement did not disclose the party platform he will vie for the office on, said the review is the “only way we can ensure immediate and massive youth participation in the electoral process both as voters and aspirants.”

In a related development, Dr Archibong also called for caution and calm from Nigerians as the police continue its investigations into the shocking Offa robbery incident, which took place on the 5th of April, 2018 and which is said to have claimed the lives of thirty three innocent Nigerians, and to remember that “no one is above the law and everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law”.

He also urged the Nigerian Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the robbery incident and at the same time, pursue the facts in any direction the evidence leads them.