“If you want to run for president, you must be a billionaire,” Falana criticises Nigeria’s election laws
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has criticised what he described as financial barriers embedded in Nigeria’s political system, warning that the high cost of contesting presidential elections effectively shuts out ordinary citizens.
Falana made the remark during a recent public commentary on electoral reforms, where he questioned the fairness of requirements that demand huge financial commitments from aspirants.
Legal expert warns of exclusion in democracy
Speaking on the issue, Falana said the financial realities of contesting elections in Nigeria contradict the principles of equal political participation.
According to him, the system favours wealthy individuals and discourages professionals and young leaders from seeking the nation’s highest 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. Democracy is supposed to give every citizen a fair chance to lead, but when the cost of participation is this high, it becomes a system designed only for the rich.”
Similar concerns raised ahead of 2023 elections
Falana’s comments echo his earlier criticism in 2022 when he described the ₦100 million presidential nomination forms sold by major parties as immoral and unconstitutional, arguing that such fees discriminated against ordinary Nigerians.
While no official response has been issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Falana insists that reducing financial barriers is essential to deepening democratic participation and restoring public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Watch the video below…
"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 majority of Nigerians who are not billionaires…"
– Femi Falana (SAN) pic.twitter.com/zlSAqgA0BM
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) March 26, 2026