Money-Driven Politics Threatens Nigeria’s Democracy, Says Balarabe-Musa

Money has become the dominant force in Nigerian politics, threatening to push capable citizens out of public life, elder statesman Ibrahim Balarabe-Musa said ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In an interview with Arewa PUNCH, the Kaduna-based son of former Kaduna State Governor Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa argued that candidates are increasingly judged by their wealth and spending power rather than their competence, integrity or willingness to serve.

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The Constitution should be amended to remove immunity. That is number one. Number two, go into the Constitution and then make it mandatory, or if it is the Electoral Act or whatever, to bring back the salaries and wages of legislators, governors and others to the level of the civil service. Use the civil service scale for them.

He urged constitutional changes to remove immunity for political officeholders and bring the salaries of legislators, governors and other elected officials into line with the civil service structure. “The Constitution should be amended to remove immunity. That is number one. Number two, go into the Constitution and then make it mandatory, or if it is the Electoral Act or whatever, to bring back the salaries and wages of legislators, governors and others to the level of the civil service. Use the civil service scale for them,” he said.

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That wouldn’t make politics attractive. It is only people who are ready to serve that will go into it.

Balarabe-Musa also called for lower financial benefits attached to political office. “That wouldn’t make politics attractive. It is only people who are ready to serve that will go into it,” he said, arguing that reducing the rewards could discourage those seeking office primarily for personal enrichment.

He estimated that a presidential campaign could cost between 10 billion and 20 billion naira. A governorship contest could require 5 billion to 6 billion naira, a senatorial race about 3 billion naira, and a House of Representatives seat between 1 billion and 2 billion naira.

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Remove the question of money.

“Remove the question of money,” he said, arguing that financial capacity should not decide who gets to participate. He also described a political culture in which candidates are expected to distribute large sums to win support. “They don’t respect you unless you have money. You bring out money. Now, why do they want me to steal and bring out money and give you? They have already formed a culture that only money can save you in politics,” he said.

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They don’t respect you unless you have money. You bring out money. Now, why do they want me to steal and bring out money and give you? They have already formed a culture that only money can save you in politics.