Politics Now for the Rich”: Comedian Alibaba Decries Billion-Naira Cost of Contesting Elections in Nigeria

Veteran Nigerian comedian and social commentator, Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, has expressed deep concern over the escalating cost of contesting political offices in Nigeria, warning that the situation is entrenching corruption and eroding the spirit of public service

In a video interview shared by Instagram user @outsidethebox_nix, Alibaba claimed that securing a senatorial seat in Nigeria now demands between ₦1.2 billion and ₦2 billion, depending on the political terrain and regional dynamics.

“To win a senatorial seat is now between ₦1.2 billion, ₦1 or ₦2 billion. You need that to win a Senate seat,” Alibaba said, describing political ambition in the country as a “capital-intensive project.”

He went further to give a breakdown of the staggering financial requirements for various elective positions. According to him, contesting for a House of Representatives seat could cost up to ₦1 billion, while vying for a position in the State House of Assembly may require ₦500 million.

“The cost increases sharply for gubernatorial positions,” he added. “For Delta State, you need about ₦20 billion. For Rivers, about ₦25 billion. For some northern states, maybe ₦4 to ₦6 billion.”

Alibaba linked this massive financial demand directly to the rise in corruption among public officials, stating that political office has become an investment venture rather than a call to service.

“It’s a capital-intensive project, which is what is driving the corruption in our country right now,” he noted. “People enter office looking to recoup their investment and prepare for the next election, not to serve.”

He further emphasized that even policies related to education or health are often approached with profit motives, making genuine development secondary to political survival.

This revelation comes amid widespread public outrage over the influence of money in Nigerian politics. In 2022, major political parties pegged their presidential nomination forms at ₦100 million, prompting criticism from citizens and civil society groups.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also repeatedly raised alarm about the growing role of money in politics, warning that it threatens democratic processes and excludes credible candidates without financial backing.

Alibaba’s comments have sparked renewed debate about the cost of governance and the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s electoral financing system.