The Complex Dynamics of Nigerian Political Primaries
In the Nigerian political system, where the best candidate does not always emerge and popularity does not guarantee success, the journey to securing a political office is fraught with challenges. The creation of a strong awareness and belonging to the right powerful caucus that can positively protect political interests is the first step in this battle. However, the second leg of this journey involves the battle for a political party’s ticket, which is essential for becoming a substantial candidate.
The Influence of Party Leaders and Internal Struggles
Party primaries are often seen as democratic exercises where delegates choose candidates based on competence, ideas, and political vision. However, the reality is far more complex. Experience has shown that party leaders, including the President, governors, chairmen, and elders of the party, often decide who to pick as a candidate before validating their choice through a suitable direct primary method that protects their interest.
Before the primaries even begin, politicians invest heavily in party congresses where ward, local government, and state executives are chosen. These elected officials, particularly the chairman, secretary, treasurer, youth leader, and women leader, form the backbone of the delegate system. Their sponsors consider them allies who will automatically vote for them during primaries. This control of the party structure becomes the first battleground in the race for political office.
Financial Barriers and Hidden Costs
The cost of primaries is a significant barrier for many aspirants. Before lobbying delegates begins, aspirants must first overcome a major financial barrier: the purchase of nomination and expression of interest forms. These fees alone run into tens of millions of naira. For example, during the 2023 election cycle, the ruling All Progressives Congress charged governorship aspirants N50m: N10m for the expression of interest form and N40m for the nomination form.
Beyond official fees lies a far larger and less visible cost: aspirants must fund consultations with party leaders, campaign logistics, publicity, mobilisation, and endorsement groups. These logistics range from transportation for supporters and delegates to media campaigns, billboards, and grassroots mobilisation. A former House of Representatives candidate under the PDP, Musa Buko, described the financial burden of pursuing the ambition as extending far beyond the official cost of nomination forms.
Buko spent well over N60m in the course of securing the party ticket and prosecuting the general election campaign. Despite his efforts, he eventually lost the general election, highlighting the financially demanding nature of Nigeria’s electoral contests.
Consensus and Negotiations
While some primaries end with voting among delegates, others are resolved through what parties describe as consensus or adoption. Consensus arrangements are meant to prevent internal divisions, but experience has shown that consensus often emerges from intense negotiations among political stakeholders. Some aspirants enter the race not necessarily to win but to negotiate withdrawal deals.
These arrangements often involve financial settlements once an aspirant agrees to withdraw. Though the amounts are rarely disclosed publicly, insiders say they can run into tens or even hundreds of millions of naira depending on the political office involved. Such processes are treated as business negotiations, with aspirants settling with wealthier counterparts and smiling to the bank.
The Role of National Leadership
The influence of national party leadership often shapes outcomes, especially for major offices such as president, governor, and senator. According to Alagbonsi, the selection of candidates for top positions is frequently influenced from the national level. While local considerations still matter, the balance of power between national officials and state leaders can determine whether an aspirant’s campaign survives.
Sunday PUNCH notes that in a multi-party system, only a few parties possess nationwide political structures capable of winning major elections. As a result, aspirants often gravitate towards these dominant parties despite the high cost of participation.
Beyond Primary Cost
Beyond nomination fees and delegate mobilisation lies a web of additional expenses that many aspirants are entangled with: campaign posters, billboards, media advertisements, rallies, and political consultations all require significant funding. Organising a single political rally involves renting venues, hiring sound systems, transporting supporters, and providing logistics for participants.
There are also social expectations placed on political aspirants. In many communities, once a politician declares interest in public office, residents approach them with personal requests ranging from school fees to medical assistance. These are costs you cannot escape, in many cases they exceed the cost of purchasing nomination forms.
When Politics Becomes Investment
Analysts say the financial intensity of party primaries has wider implications for governance. When aspirants spend heavily to secure party tickets, politics can begin to resemble a financial investment rather than public service. Alagbonsi believes this partly explains why some elected officials focus on recovering campaign expenses after assuming office.
They see supporters as people who have already been paid. So their focus becomes recovering the money they spent during the election.
The Real Contest Begins
Yet despite the intense negotiations and financial pressures of primaries, securing a party ticket is only the beginning. The real contest begins after the ticket is secured, as aspirants must now navigate the complexities of the general election and the broader political landscape.
