Former Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has highlighted the high cost of political participation in Nigeria, citing fees of up to N100 million for presidential aspirants. Speaking at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Mohammed broke down the costs, with N70 million for a presidential nomination form and N30 million for an expression of interest form. Governorship aspirants pay about N50 million, while senatorial candidates spend around N20 million. He attributed the high fees to political parties' reliance on form sales for funding, noting that unlike in countries like the UK, Nigerian party members do not regularly pay dues. "So, it is a bit expensive even to enter into the race and that is one area we need to work at," he said. Mohammed added that parties depend on election periods to generate revenue for operations and development. Despite the financial barriers, he maintained that young Nigerians without political backgrounds are still making progress in governance. He referenced his tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari, where he prioritized two-way communication between government and citizens. Initiatives like thematic town halls and ministerial scorecards were introduced to boost public engagement and accountability. "My priority was not just to communicate government policies, but also to listen," he said, emphasizing that feedback helps address real issues. He stressed that governance today requires aligning policy implementation with public perception to build trust and legitimacy.
Lai Mohammed points to exorbitant form fees while defending the system that profits from them. His claim that young people are thriving in politics sits uneasily with the N100 million barrier he admits blocks entry. If party funding relies solely on selling access, then ambition is priced out unless backed by deep pockets. This makes a mockery of any claim of a level playing field.
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