As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, human rights lawyer Ejime Okolie has instituted a suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 19 political parties, contesting the imposition of what he describes as exorbitant expression of interest (EOI) and nomination fees.
Okolie, acting both personally and on behalf of millions of Nigerians eager to participate in the democratic process, is asking the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, to compel INEC to issue binding guidelines that set reasonable maximum thresholds for such fees.
He further seeks an order restraining political parties from fixing or enforcing EOI and nomination fees for the 2027 primaries in a manner that excludes qualified citizens from contesting. Importantly, he requests that any reliefs granted operate prospectively, safeguarding constitutional rights ahead of the elections.
Okolie argues that the practice of imposing exorbitant fees prior to the 2023 elections effectively barred many qualified Nigerians, including himself, from contesting. He contends that this violates his fundamental right to freedom of association under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Additionally, he urges the court to declare that financial barriers which disproportionately exclude ordinary citizens from political participation amount to discrimination, contrary to Section 42 of the Constitution.
The suit lists 19 political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), as respondents, alongside INEC and the Attorney‑General of the Federation (AGF).
Justice Nyako has fixed February 12 for hearing.
