“Senate Seat Costs N1.2bn, Governorship N25bn” – Ali Baba Blows Whistle on Price of Nigerian Politics
Veteran Nigerian comedian and social commentator Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has raised alarm over the deeply rooted corruption and monetization of political power in Nigeria.
Speaking during an appearance on the Outside The Box podcast, Ali Baba exposed what he describes as “the true cost” of political ambition in Nigeria, revealing shocking figures that paint a grim picture of the nation’s political landscape.
💸 Political Positions for Sale?
Ali Baba claimed that:
A Senate seat reportedly requires between ₦1.2 billion in funding.
House of Representatives: ₦1 billion.
State House of Assembly: ₦500 million.
Governorship: Between ₦20 to ₦25 billion in states like Delta and Rivers; and around ₦4–6 billion in some northern states.
“It’s a capital intensive project, which is what is driving the corruption in our country right now,” he stated.
According to him, these exorbitant costs force politicians to prioritize contracts and policies that yield financial returns over those that truly impact the masses, such as education or healthcare.
🗣️ OPINION — Democracy or “Moneycracy”?
Ali Baba didn’t just drop numbers — he dropped a truth bomb. If political seats come with billion-naira price tags, then leadership becomes a transaction, not a service. When elections are bankrolled by godfathers or self-funded through shady deals, the people become secondary.
This revelation raises painful questions:
How can honest, young Nigerians ever compete in politics?
Can democracy thrive where only billionaires can participate?
Are our leaders truly serving us, or just recovering “investments”?
The system Ali Baba described is one where corruption is not a bug — it’s the business model. And unless this economic stranglehold on democracy is broken, the cycle of looting, poor governance, and elite control will continue.
🧠 The Way Forward?
Ali Baba’s honesty sparks a vital national conversation — and we need more bold voices like his. From public campaign financing reform to transparency laws and electoral watchdog empowerment, there’s a long road ahead.
But that road begins with truth — and comedians, once again, are speaking the truth many fear to say.
📣 What do you think about Ali Baba’s revelations? Is it time for electoral cost reform? Should INEC step in with spending limits? Let’s discuss.
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