In a powerful episode of the Outside The Box podcast, media host @femicoolfm sparked nationwide debate after shedding light on a deeply entrenched issue in Nigeria’s political system — the astronomical cost of running for office.
The Billion-Naira Price Tags Behind Nigerian Political Seats, the explores how Nigerian politics has turned into a high-stakes game only accessible to the wealthy and well-connected.
“Politics in Nigeria isn’t for the average citizen,” Femi stated. “It’s a marketplace, and power is sold to the highest bidder.”
From local government chairmanships to governorship and senatorial positions, the cost of entering the race is staggering. Political party forms alone cost tens of millions of naira, and that’s just the beginning. Candidates are expected to:
- Bribe party delegates during primaries
- Fund massive media and branding campaigns
- Sponsor logistics, rallies, and even “mobilize” voters with incentives
Estimates suggest that running for a federal office can easily exceed ₦1 billion in total expenditure.
The show featured stories from grassroots aspirants who had dreams of making a change, but were sidelined due to lack of funding. One aspiring candidate shared anonymously:
“I sold my land to buy nomination forms, but after primaries, I was told I couldn’t ‘meet expectations.’ It’s not about vision anymore, it’s about who can pay more.”
Analysts on the show warned that such high entry costs breed corruption. Politicians, after spending billions to secure a seat, often view public office as an investment to recover.
This leaves citizens with leaders driven not by service, but by profit.
“The system is designed to filter out poor but competent Nigerians,” Femi added. “How can we expect change if change-makers are locked out before the race even starts?”
