Politics
THE Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Anambra State Branch, has expresses deep concern over the alarming monetization and commercialization of Nigeria’s electoral system, describing it as a fundamental threat to our democracy, democratic culture, and national development.
In statement, the group said that the prohibitive cost of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms imposed by political parties has systematically excluded a vast majority of competent, morally upright, and patriotic citizens from seeking elective office.
It noted that when access to the ballot is determined by wealth rather than worth, democracy is reduced to a marketplace where public office goes to the highest bidder.
According to the group, this practice does not enhance democracy; it hinders and hollows it out.
“It is an unfortunate but undeniable reality that party primary elections have become transactional. Delegates and party members, in many instances, now cast their votes based on financial inducement rather than the competence, character, capacity, and conscience of aspirants. This distortion erodes merit, entrenches mediocrity, and mortgages the future of millions of Nigerians,” the statement said.
In the statement themed “The Worst Civilian Government Is Better Than the Most Benevolent Military Rule”, the group noted that while it acknowledge imperfections in the civilian administration, “we maintain that democracy remains the only legitimate path to good governance, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties.”
The group therefore calls on political parties to urgently review and drastically reduce the cost of Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms and that political participation is a constitutional right, not a luxury commodity. It warned that imposing fees that run into tens and hundreds of millions of naira is undemocratic and exclusionary.
It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. to work with the National Assembly to set legally enforceable ceilings on nomination fees and campaign expenditures for all elections, including party primaries.
It added that INEC must also strengthen monitoring and sanction mechanisms against vote-buying and financial inducement.
The group also urged the political gladiators and stakeholders to protect, safeguard and defend the nation’s hard-earned democracy by upholding the tenets of democracy, the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Electoral Act 2022, and the rule of law. “We must reject, with great disdain, the politics of nepotism, tribalism, favoritism, and impunity,” it said.
It called on Nigerian citizens to recognize that the enthronement of God-fearing, selfless, and visionary servant-leaders is a collective responsibility and must resist the temptation to mortgage our conscience for immediate gain, while the ballot should be cast based on the “4 Cs – Competence, Character, Capacity and Conscience.
In conclusion, the CLO stated that democracy thrives when the process is free, fair, credible, and inclusive and that “monetization of elections betrays the spirit of June 12 and undermines the sacrifices of our heroes past. We must return to politics of ideas, service, and accountability”.
“The CLO will continue to monitor the political space, engage stakeholders, and advocate for reforms that deepen democracy and expand civic space,” the statement added.
A.I
May 28, 2026
Tags: Civil Liberties Organization CLO Independent National Electoral Commission INEC