Babafemi Ojudu: Rising Cost Of Elections Shutting Capable Nigerians Out Of Politics

Former Senator Babafemi Ojudu has raised concerns about the rising cost of running for political office in Nigeria, saying the financial demands of elections are increasingly shutting out capable candidates who lack access to wealthy political patrons.

Ojudu made the remarks in Seun Oloketuyi’s forthcoming book, How to Win an Election in Nigeria, which is set to be released on September 6.Ojudu said the situation has created a system where money and connections can matter more than a candidate’s popularity, competence or record.

He noted that campaign spending was once largely associated with the practical business of running an election, including mobilising supporters, printing campaign materials, placing adverts and deploying polling agents. But according to him, that has changed considerably.

“Today, capital is heavily absorbed by elite-level transactional politics,” Ojudu said.

He argued that candidates without access to powerful political networks or godfathers can find themselves pushed aside, even when they have the support of the people.

“Without access to elite financing networks or powerful patrons, even the most capable, ethical, and publicly embraced aspirants find themselves locked out of the race,” he said.

Ojudu’s concern is that the situation is beginning to affect the quality of candidates available to voters. When the ability to raise huge sums becomes a major requirement for securing a ticket and mounting a competitive campaign, many people with the capacity to serve may never get the opportunity to contest.

“When money and institutional backing outweigh appeal, public-interest candidates without godfather leverage are sadly reduced to spectators,” he said.

He believes the problem cannot be solved simply by asking politicians to spend less. For him, stronger enforcement of campaign finance rules and wider electoral reforms are needed to address the growing financial pressure around elections.

“Until comprehensive campaign finance enforcement and structural electoral reforms are instituted, the cost of mounting a credible election will continue to not favour popular candidates,” Ojudu said.

His comments raise a difficult question about Nigeria’s democracy: how many potentially good candidates are being kept out of politics simply because they cannot afford the price of entry?

That is one of the issues Ojudu examines in his reflections on Nigeria’s changing political landscape.