A reknowned Cleric, Prophet, James Omitade has called on the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to take bold action in addressing the high cost of nomination forms imposed by political parties.
Speaking during a press briefing in Ado Ekiti, Prophet Omitade expressed deep concern over the growing trend of political parties turning elections into an exclusive venture for the wealthy elite, leaving many potential leaders who could serve the country out of the process.
The Prophet, who is also the General Overseer of the Holy Trinity Authority Prophetic Church International, Ikere road Ado-Ekiti highlighted how these skyrocketing fees, including N100 million for presidential nominations, N50 million for governorship, and upwards of N30 million for senatorial positions, are excluding dedicated and capable Nigerians from running for office. He described this practice as a form of political elitism that undermines the very essence of democracy.
Omitade pointed out that these exorbitant fees have created a situation where only the rich and influential are able to vie for leadership positions, leading to the election of individuals with questionable backgrounds and motives. In his view, this system perpetuates corruption, deepens social inequality, and tarnishes Nigeria’s reputation globally.
The cleric emphasized that INEC, under Amupitan’s leadership, must reform the electoral process to ensure it is accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of their financial status. “The people we need in leadership today are those with integrity, not just those with the financial means to purchase nomination forms,” said Omitade.
He urged that the cost of participation should be drastically reduced or eliminated to allow genuine aspirants to contest for public offices.
The Prophet also suggested a digital overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral process to enhance transparency. He advocated for a system where votes are electronically transferred to INEC’s portal directly from polling units, removing opportunities for manipulation and reducing the role of physical collation, which often leads to fraud and irregularities.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Omitade urged the new INEC chairman to prioritize reforms that would ensure a fair and credible election process.
He argued that a more inclusive system would encourage greater civic participation, empower ordinary Nigerians, and ultimately restore the nation’s faith in its electoral process.
Reflecting on the political history of Nigeria, Omitade noted that leaders in the first and second republics, such as the late Governors Adebayo Adefarati of Ondo, Lam Adesina of Oyo, and Bisi Akande of Osun, were not wealthy, yet they rose to power and served the people well. He lamented that today’s system, driven by money and influence, has undermined the opportunity for such leaders to emerge.
“This is a wake-up call for INEC,” said Omitade. “The focus should be on restoring integrity to our electoral system and making sure that anyone—rich or poor—can aspire to lead, based on merit, not money.”
Prophet Omitade’s call for electoral reform, if heeded, could represent a crucial step towards rebuilding a political system where the values of fairness, integrity, and public service triumph over financial influence.
