Party Nomination Costs Seen as Major Corruption Phase in Nigeria’s Elections

• Mr. Kingsley Chinda calls party nominations in Nigeria corrupt.
• He demands reforms to reduce financial barriers in politics.
• Chinda proposes digital voting and clear spending caps.
• Existing laws regarding campaign spending lack enforcement.
• An independent Electoral Offences Commission is essential.
• Adebowale Olorunmola emphasizes the threat of high election costs.

Concerns Over High Costs of Party Nominations

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, did not hold back when discussing the troubling issue surrounding political party nominations in Nigeria. Speaking during a recent event in Abuja, he underscored his concern that this phase of the electoral process has descended into what he termed a corruption-laden situation. “The monetisation of party nominations is arguably the most corrupt phase of our electoral process,” Chinda declared emphatically. His words encapsulated a growing frustration about the exorbitant costs attached to party nomination forms, which can soar into millions of naira, ultimately raising the question: where does this pricing come from?

The Need for Electoral Reforms

Chinda, a representative from Rivers state, passionately argued for reforms to ease financial barriers that prevent many Nigerians from engaging in politics. He advocated for measures that would not only promote internal democracy within political parties but also make the nomination process more accessible. Among his proposals were the introduction of digital voting systems for party primaries, a more transparent delegate selection process, and strict limits on spending for internal campaigns. “We already have laws; what we lack is enforcement,” he remarked, pointing to existing regulations in the Electoral Act that are routinely ignored. The spending limits established for candidates are between N70 million and N100 million, yet breaches of these regulations go unpunished, Chinda lamented.

Call for Collective Action and Inclusion

Adding weight to Chinda’s argument, the Country Director of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Adebowale Olorunmola, highlighted the rising costs of electioneering as a significant threat to Nigeria’s democracy. During his opening remarks at the event, Olorunmola expressed concern that this financial burden silences the diverse voices needed for a healthy democratic process. “Our democracy thrives when diverse voices are heard, but the high cost of politics in Nigeria is silencing too many people,” he remarked. The recent report issued by WFD aims to bring attention to how the financial hurdles particularly affect the political representation of women. Olorunmola emphasized that the report is not merely a catalogue of problems but a call to action for everyone involved. By prompting meaningful discussions and targeted efforts, Olorunmola believes it is possible to mitigate the challenges that ordinary Nigerians face when trying to engage in politics, urging all stakeholders to work towards a more inclusive political landscape.

In summary, the discourse led by Kingsley Chinda and echoed by Adebowale Olorunmola emphasizes a critical juncture for Nigeria’s democracy as it grapples with exorbitant costs tied to political participation. The call for reforms—including digital voting and enforceable spending regulations—aims to dismantle barriers hindering political engagement. As the nation pivots towards crafting a political environment that encourages active participation from all sectors of society, there’s hope for a thriving democracy where every citizen can have a voice, regardless of their background.