Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has raised concerns over what he describes as the growing financial barriers in Nigeria’s political space, warning that the cost of contesting elections is shutting out ordinary citizens.
Falana made the remarks during a discussion on electoral reforms, where he questioned the fairness of requirements that demand huge financial commitments from presidential aspirants.
According to him, the current system tilts heavily in favour of the wealthy, making it difficult for professionals, young leaders, and everyday Nigerians to aspire to the country’s top political office.
“If you look at that law, it’s saying if you want to contest for the Presidency of Nigeria, you must have 10 billion naira or I think 5 billion naira. That already excludes professors, workers, lawyers and the majority of Nigerians who are not billionaires,” he said.
Falana argued that democracy should provide equal opportunities for all citizens, not just those with deep pockets. He warned that when the cost of participation becomes too high, it undermines the very foundation of democratic governance.
The senior advocate also revisited his earlier stance from 2022, when he criticised the ₦100 million presidential nomination forms sold by major political parties, describing them as unfair and discriminatory.
He maintained that lowering the financial threshold for contesting elections is key to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and rebuilding public confidence in the electoral process.
As of the time of this report, the Independent National Electoral Commission has not issued any official response to his latest comments.