IS NIGERIA PLUTOCRATIC?

Plutocracy is the type of government run by the wealthy or a government controlled by the wealthy class.

It is no longer news as to the amount needed to purchase nomination forms in the All Progressives Congress (APC), one of the major if not leading party in Nigeria. 

The nomination forms for the positions of senator, governor and president cost nothing less than 170, 000, 000 naira which is about 310, 000 US dollars with the present naira to dollar exchange rate. 

We should also note that purchasing of nomination forms is only the beginning of monetary expenses for political aspirants. Money spent on campaigns, which involves logistics, printing of banner, renting of billboards, television campaigns, and involvement of celebrities to help in the campaign process. 

In the peculiar case of Nigeria, money is spent on ‘relief materials’ for possible voters who are enticed by these, thereby compelling the voters to vote the aspirant who is perceived as the highest bidder or sends more ‘relief materials’.

These figures, clearly show that politics and at large governance in the country of Nigeria is only affordable for the wealthy who can afford to sponsor themselves by spending gargantuan sums of money just for securing an elected position in government.

This seemingly high prices of nomination forms increases the tendency for politically elected officials to be corrupt, steal government funds, and also involve in money laundering. This is highly probable because the elected officers will want to recover the funds spent on purchasing these forms and other expenses for campaigns which ensures their political successes.

For a country whom its citizens have clamored for reduction in the cost of governance, the high cost of politicking is definitely a wall in between achieving this very course. Nigeria runs a bicameral parliamentary system which is said to be one of the most expensive in the world. This is quite baffling for a country which is said not to be rich.

Nigeria not being rich sounds untrue personally. It is very hard to believe this when you look at the money spent or allocated by these politically appointed officers into purchasing items like vehicles, private jets for comfort when in office. The ideology of Nigeria not being rich, raises dust when money is needed for critical infrastructure where the populace will be affected positively and in turn ensure economic development.

Imagine, a Nigerian Senator signing a bill to reduce cost of governance which in turn will reduce the money earned for himself and colleagues when he clearly has to spend huge sums to secure his elected position. This situation of high cost of politicking results in a domino effect where corrupt practices, bad governance and unaccountability in government is being encouraged indirectly.

In the western world, politicians are usually sponsored by their supporters, friends and colleagues. This is very much possible in such climes, because the people releasing funds to fund political ambitions of people can fully trust that these politically elected officers, will do justice to fulfilling the promises stated in their manifestos.

Politically elected officers can be held accountable to issues related to governance thereby putting these elected officers on their toes, knowing it is expedient of them to provide not only good governance but fulfill the promises in their manifestos. This in turn will build trust in the people who bankroll them.

Likewise in Nigeria, political aspirants are also bankrolled but with sinister plans. This opinion might seem unpopular but is it not true? In the world of business, loans and grants are given to businesses with great business plans, potential for success, assurance of trust and a clear projection for sustainable growth. All the above listed, can happen if only the funds are invested properly.

Politics in Nigeria, is a totally different case; as the bankrollers tend to support these political aspirants with ulterior motives of gaining illicit wealth or influence with the already secured favour of supported aspirants. This illicit wealth might be obtained through securement of contracts for such sponsors who do not have the capacity to execute such projects. Putting policies in place to favour businesses or any involvement of their sponsors. Undermining the rule of law to ensure their sponsors escape punishments such as jail terms or removal of licenses. 

A clear example is the case of the former Plateau state governor Joshua Dariye who was pardoned by the President for an offence related to corruption practices by the Jonah Jang administration that succeeded him. This instance, is clearly against the mantra of the ruling government which speaks against the treacherous hands of corruption.

Another case is that of serving Senator and former Governor of Abia state in the south eastern part of Nigeria Orji Uzor Kalu, who happened to be listed on Forbes for being a billionaire; not in naira this time but in US dollars with his firm Slok Nigeria Limited. It is reported that he used his influence during his 8 years as a governor to defraud the government of Abia state, by influencing illicit contracts and other forms of money laundering to the tune of 7.65 billion naira.

He was arraigned before the court of law, found guilty and convicted by the Federal High Court in 2019 and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He however did not serve his full sentence and was said to have used his judicial technicality to evade justice.

This situation is even still baffling that a convicted criminal was reinstated into the hallowed chambers of the House of Senate which is the upper parliamentary chambers in the Nigeria. In most western countries, he wouldn’t even get a job as a clerk, talk less of being in a politically elected position.

An APC chieftain, did argue that the nomination forms were highly priced in order to weed out ‘small boys’ whom he deems as mediocre and unserious persons from contesting in such positions. 

This argument however cannot be justified, considering the present economic situation in the country. Nigeria is clearly running a plutocratic system of government as the ruling party consider it the right thing to price nomination forms which in turn increases the cost of politicking in the country. 

As individuals and citizens of this great nation, it is expedient of us to speak against this precarious situation by using different media and making our voices heard by the people in government. With these I believe Nigeria can be a better place for us all. 

Written by: Olaoluwa Olaitan