Lai Mohammed Warns of High Political Costs in Nigeria

Lai Mohammed, the former Minister of Information and Culture, expressed alarm over the rising cost of politics in Nigeria, which he warned could hinder participation, especially among young people. Speaking at the London School of Economics and Political Science, he noted that the financial demands of contesting elections in Nigeria are significantly higher than in many other parts of the world.

For instance, presidential aspirants face a cost of N100 million, which includes N70 million for nomination forms and N30 million for expression of interest forms. Governorship aspirants are expected to spend around N50 million, while senatorial candidates may need about N20 million.

Mohammed attributed these high costs to the funding structure of political parties, which rely heavily on revenue generated during election periods. Despite these financial challenges, he maintained that young Nigerians are making significant strides in politics.

He emphasized the importance of citizen engagement and feedback in governance, advocating for a balanced approach to policy implementation that reflects public sentiment.