Veteran Nigerian comedian and social commentator, Alibaba, has raised serious concerns about the soaring costs of contesting political office in the country, warning that it is driving corruption and turning public service into a business venture.
In a recent video interview shared on Instagram by @outsidethebox\_nix, Alibaba, whose real name is Atunyota Akpobome, described political ambition in Nigeria as a “capital-intensive project,” saying that the financial demands involved have become outrageous.
He claimed that to win a senatorial seat in Nigeria today could cost between 1.2 and 2 billion naira, depending on the zone and local political dynamics. He also estimated that securing a seat in the House of Representatives could cost up to 1 billion naira, while candidates for state House of Assembly may need as much as 500 million naira.
The comedian added that running for governor comes with an even steeper price tag. Using examples, he said a gubernatorial race in Delta State might cost around 20 billion naira, while in Rivers State, it could reach 25 billion. In some northern states, the cost could be around 4 to 6 billion naira.
Alibaba warned that such massive financial requirements have turned elections into investments, pushing politicians to recoup their campaign spending once in office—often through corrupt practices. He argued that the goal of many politicians is not to serve the people, but to recover what they spent and prepare financially for the next election cycle.
According to him, this mindset means that issues like education and healthcare are often only considered if they offer financial or political gains for the officeholder.
His comments come amid growing debate in Nigeria over the role of money in politics. In recent years, the cost of nomination forms alone has sparked outrage, with presidential aspirants in major parties required to pay ₦100 million in 2022.
Analysts and civil society groups have repeatedly warned that the monetisation of Nigeria’s political process undermines democratic participation, discourages women and youth from running for office, and entrenches political godfatherism.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also raised concerns over the influence of money in elections, describing it as a major threat to democracy.