The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has linked recurring electoral malpractices in Nigeria to the soaring cost of running for public office.
We gathered that CDD West Africa Director, Dr. Dauda Garuba, raised the concern in Abuja on Thursday, warning that ballooning election expenses, from pricey nomination forms to unchecked campaign spending, continue to shut out ordinary citizens and entrench corruption in the political arena.
Garuba said political parties routinely demand fees far beyond the means of average Nigerians seeking elective positions.
“These financial barriers not only discourage youth participation but also fuel the desperation of politicians who seek to recover their investments through looting, once elected,” he said.
He noted that although the Electoral Act sets spending limits, compliance remains weak.
“People begin spending money long before party primaries. So it is difficult to determine whether funds come directly from candidates, political parties, associates or family members,” he said.
The CDD director added that poor tracking of political financing, combined with the absence of meaningful party reforms, had created an uneven playing field dominated by wealthy aspirants.
Garuba, however, maintained that citizens could help reduce the influence of money in politics by engaging more actively in elections.
“Vote-buying thrives when voter turnout is low, making it easier for politicians with deep pockets to manipulate the outcomes.
“It is easy to buy votes when only a few people show up to vote. But if the entire voting population is mobilised and committed to the process, it becomes impossible for anyone to pay everybody,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to take greater ownership of the democratic process, stressing that widespread civic participation remains the strongest antidote to excessive political spending and electoral manipulation.
