Nigeria, April 24 -- Dr. Ikokwu, who is contesting to represent Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, made the call in a statement titled "End the Paywall on Leadership: Let Competence, Not Cash, Decide Our Candidates." In the statement, she argued that the country's political system cannot thrive when access to leadership is effectively restricted by financial barriers.

According to her, the rising cost of nomination forms has turned political participation into what she described as "an exclusive club for the wealthy," thereby shutting out competent individuals, particularly women, young people, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), before they even have a chance to contest.

"If leadership is truly about service, then access ...