At this point in Nigeria’s political evolution, the price of nomination forms has moved beyond being merely expensive. It has become a structural barrier to entry, one that quietly but effectively determines who gets to participate in the democratic process and who is shut out before the race even begins. What should be an administrative requirement has transformed into a financial gauntlet. And in doing so, it raises a fundamental question about the quality of leadership a system like this is likely to produce.

When decent, capable, and reform-minded individuals are priced out of politics, the system should not feign surprise when less scrupulous actors find their way in. Nature abhors a vacuum, and politics is no exception. If integrity cannot afford to show up, opportunism will always step in to fill the space.

Yet, even within this increasingly commercialised political terrain, there remains a smarter path for the discerning aspirant. One that does not demand the liquidation of family wealth or the quiet compromise of personal values. It requires strategic thinking, an understanding of political timing, and the discipline to resist the gravitational pull of conventional wisdom.

For anyone seriously considering a Senate run in 2027, the first and most critical decision is not about popularity, visibility, or even initial funding. It is about platform selection. Where you choose to run may ultimately matter more than how much you are willing to spend.

The dominant political parties continue to sell the idea of “structure” as their primary value proposition. On the surface, structure suggests organisation, reach, and institutional strength. But in practice, what it often translates to is a highly monetised ecosystem where influence is directly proportional to financial capacity. The internal logic of these parties has evolved in such a way that competition is less about ideas and more about endurance in a contest of spending.

The financial thresholds are staggering. It is not uncommon for aspirants to commit over one hundred million naira simply to obtain a nomination form. This is before any meaningful political engagement even begins. What follows is an even more demanding process in the form of party primaries, which in many cases now resemble a parallel general election.

With the widespread adoption of direct primaries, the scale of engagement has expanded significantly. No longer are aspirants required to convince a limited pool of delegates. Instead, they must mobilise across entire party membership structures, often numbering in the tens or hundreds of thousands. This means campaign logistics, voter outreach, coordination at the ward level, and inevitably, the financial inducements that have come to characterise internal party contests.

By the time an aspirant navigates this process successfully, the cost can easily climb into the region of two hundred to three hundred million naira. And even then, victory at the primaries offers no guarantee of success in the general election. In fact, many candidates emerge from these internal battles politically weakened, financially exhausted, and deeply entangled in intra-party grievances that linger long after the primaries are concluded.

It is important to pause here and interrogate the logic of this pathway.

If the objective is to win a Senate seat and ultimately serve the public, does it make strategic sense to expend the bulk of one’s resources before even appearing on the general election ballot? Is it efficient to fight the most intense battle within your own party, only to enter the broader contest diminished?

There is an alternative approach that, while less glamorous, is often far more effective.

Smaller political parties, frequently dismissed as lacking structure, present a fundamentally different value proposition. The cost of entry is significantly lower, with nomination forms often priced below ten million naira. This immediately alters the financial dynamics of the race. Instead of depleting resources at the outset, aspirants retain the bulk of their capital for what truly matters: engaging the electorate.

More importantly, the competitive landscape within these parties is less congested. Rather than contending with a crowded field of entrenched political actors, aspirants often face a more manageable internal process. In some cases, they may even secure the party ticket with minimal resistance, allowing them to transition quickly to the general election phase.

This is where the strategic advantage becomes clear.

With anywhere between ninety million and two hundred ninety million naira still available, the aspirant is positioned to run a focused, sustained, and voter-centric campaign. While candidates in larger parties are preoccupied with internal disputes, legal challenges, and reconciliation efforts, the candidate from a smaller platform is on the ground building name recognition, establishing trust, and communicating a clear and consistent message.

Politics, at its core, is about familiarity and credibility. Voters are more likely to support individuals they recognise and understand, regardless of party affiliation. By the time the major parties resolve their internal conflicts and present their candidates, often through opaque consensus arrangements, the independent-minded aspirant has already established a presence in the minds of the electorate.

This is not to suggest that smaller parties are without challenges. They often lack the institutional support and nationwide networks that larger parties enjoy. However, in an era where political communication is increasingly decentralised and driven by direct voter engagement, these limitations are not as prohibitive as they once were.

What matters is the ability to connect with voters in a meaningful way. To articulate a vision that resonates with their realities. To demonstrate competence, integrity, and a genuine commitment to public service. These are attributes that cannot be purchased at any price point, and they often carry more weight than party affiliation in the final analysis.

There is also a psychological dimension to this strategy. By avoiding the bruising and often divisive process of high-stakes primaries, the aspirant enters the general election with a cleaner political slate. There are fewer internal enemies, fewer unresolved conflicts, and a greater capacity to build broad-based coalitions across party lines.

In contrast, candidates who emerge from contentious primaries frequently carry the baggage of intra-party resentment. Aggrieved aspirants and their supporters may become reluctant allies at best or active saboteurs at worst. This internal fragmentation can significantly undermine a campaign’s effectiveness, regardless of how much money has been spent.

Ultimately, the lesson here is one of strategic clarity.

Politics is not merely a function of financial expenditure. It is a complex interplay of timing, positioning, resource allocation, and human connection. The aspirants who succeed are not always those who spend the most, but those who spend wisely and at the right moments.

There is little merit in investing three hundred million naira to secure a party ticket, only to finish third in the general election. Such an outcome is not just financially inefficient; it is strategically flawed.

The real contest is not always where the noise is loudest or the crowds are largest. Sometimes, it is in the quieter, less crowded spaces where a focused and disciplined campaign can gain traction without unnecessary resistance.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches, aspirants would do well to reassess their assumptions about what it takes to win. The traditional pathways are becoming increasingly costly and less predictable. In their place, new strategies are emerging, grounded in efficiency, direct engagement, and a clear understanding of the political environment.

The choice, ultimately, is not between big parties and small parties. It is between competing on unfavourable terms or redefining the terms of engagement altogether.

Choose your battles wisely.

Kunle Lawal

Executive Director, Electoral College Nigeria