Ali Baba Reveals Shocking Costs of Running for Political Office in Nigeria

Veteran comedian and social commentator Ali Baba has exposed the staggering financial demands of contesting political offices in Nigeria, describing the process as a capital-intensive venture deeply rooted in corruption.

Speaking on the Outside the Box podcast, Ali Baba—who has close ties with many Nigerian politicians—broke down the estimated costs aspirants face when seeking various elective positions.

According to him, running for a Senate seat may require around ₦1.2 billion, while securing a spot in the House of Representatives could cost as much as ₦1 billion. For those aiming for the State House of Assembly, the estimated campaign budget stands at a minimum of ₦500 million.

He also gave eye-opening figures for governorship races across the country. In Delta State, Ali Baba said a candidate might need to spend up to ₦20 billion, while the cost in Rivers State could climb to ₦25 billion. In some Northern states, he estimated the cost to range between ₦4 billion and ₦6 billion.

“It’s a capital-intensive project, which is what is driving the corruption in our country right now,” he said. “Anytime somebody is in office, the person is not thinking of education, except if whatever he wants to do in education will provide some money that they can leverage on when the time for election comes.”

Ali Baba’s revelations highlight growing concerns over the monetization of Nigeria’s political system and the systemic barriers it creates for honest, qualified individuals without access to vast financial resources.