Veteran Nigerian comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, has shed light on the astronomical costs of contesting for political offices in Nigeria. Speaking on the OUTSIDE THE BOX podcast, Ali Baba revealed the staggering amounts required to secure various political seats, citing corruption as a major driving force.

According to Ali Baba, who claims to have connections within Nigerian political circles, a senatorial seat costs around N1.2 billion to N2 billion, while a House of Representatives seat requires approximately N1 billion. State House of Assembly seats, he said, demand N500 million.

For governorship positions, Ali Baba disclosed that costs vary by state, with Delta State requiring around N20 billion and Rivers State N25 billion. In some Northern states, he estimated the cost to be between N4 billion and N6 billion.

“It’s a capital-intensive project, which is what is driving the corruption in our country right now,” Ali Baba stated. He further accused Nigerian politicians of prioritizing projects that yield financial returns, particularly those that can be leveraged during election seasons, over addressing citizens’ needs.

“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,” he added.