Reduce Nomination Forms Cost For Women, Group Cries Out

The National President,  National Council of Women Societies, Nigeria (NCWS), Gloria Shoda has made a plea to political parties to reduce the cost of their nomination forms.

She said a cost at an affordable rate will as well enable women to participate in the 2019 general elections.

Shoda who made the call in an interview in Abuja added the cost of nomination forms was out of the reach of women that are interested in elective position.

The NCWS president said the prices of party nomination forms were high and only few women would be able to afford it, hence she called for government intervention.

“We are praying that the parties allow women emerge as candidates, because with this amount of money I am hearing on the newspapers, I don’t see how women will be able to buy forms.

“How many women will be able to buy the form for N45 million, it is very difficult. So I am begging the government to reduce this money for women.

“I am not saying that the women should not pay at all but they should pay very little money because our pockets are not deep.’’ She said.

She noted that more women were getting interested in politics adding that they should be encouraged.

Recalling the costs, major parties such as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Nomination forms cost N45 million, while that of the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) costs N12 million