By Chioma Osuji,
LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-Entertainment icon and veteran comedian Ali Baba, has stirred conversation after revealing the staggering cost of securing political positions in Nigeria.
Speaking on the “Outside The Box” podcast, the comedy legend, known for his deep connections in political circles, pulled back the curtain on the financial realities behind Nigerian politics.
According to Ali Baba, the price tag for a senatorial seat now runs as high as ₦1.2 billion, while a governorship bid could demand anywhere from ₦20 to ₦25 billion in states like Delta and Rivers.
“To win a Senate seat, you need between ₦1 billion to ₦1.2 billion. A House of Representatives position? Another ₦1 billion. State House of Assembly—₦500 million. Governorship depends on the state. In Delta, it’s about ₦20 billion. Rivers? ₦25 billion. In some northern states, maybe ₦4 to ₦6 billion,” he stated.
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Ali Baba described the political arena as a “capital-intensive project,” one he believes is fueling the deep-rooted corruption plaguing the nation.
According to him, politicians no longer prioritize the people or developmental goals. Instead, 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.”
Known for blending humor with hard truths, Ali Baba’s candid remarks have reignited conversations about the toxic relationship between politics and money in Nigeria, and how it continues to keep meaningful governance out of reach.
