A total of 34 governorship aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly paid ₦50 million each to obtain nomination forms, following a last-minute rush ahead of the party’s deadline.

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The development highlights intense competition within the ruling party as hopefuls scramble to secure tickets for the upcoming governorship elections. Party officials confirmed that the payments were made as aspirants moved quickly to meet the deadline for form submission.

Sources within the APC described the situation as a major surge in political interest, with several prominent figures across different states joining the race at the final hour. The high number of aspirants is expected to set the stage for competitive primaries in multiple states.

The ₦50 million fee has also sparked discussions around the cost of political participation in Nigeria, with critics arguing that such high nomination fees may limit access for younger and less financially empowered candidates.

Despite the concerns, the APC leadership maintains that the process remains open and competitive, stressing that all aspirants will be given a fair chance during the primaries.

The party is expected to conduct screening exercises in the coming days as preparations intensify ahead of the governorship elections.