Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has called for a shift in how political campaigns are financed in Nigeria, urging citizens to take greater ownership of the democratic process through grassroots funding.
In a post shared on X on Friday, Yesufu criticised the prevailing culture where political candidates either fund their campaigns personally or rely on powerful sponsors, commonly referred to as “godfathers.”
According to her, both approaches undermine true democracy and contribute to poor governance.
“The thinking that candidates are supposed to use their money to run for election is the biggest setback we have politically,” she stated.
She questioned the legitimacy of elections funded by personal wealth, describing such contests as more of a business venture than a democratic exercise.
Similarly, she argued that candidates backed by political godfathers often become beholden to their sponsors, turning governance into a form of “ownership” rather than public service.
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Yesufu linked this funding structure to the recurring issue of elected officials prioritising personal gains over the needs of citizens.
“We often wonder why politicians get into office and focus on self rather than the people. Well, it is because often they funded themselves and have to recoup or are answerable to their godfathers,” she said.
To address this, she advocated for a model where ordinary citizens collectively fund political campaigns, thereby strengthening accountability and public control over elected leaders.
“We must put our money where our votes are, if we truly want to have full control as citizens,” she added.
Encouraging wider participation, Yesufu described small-scale political donations as a civic responsibility, likening them to religious giving such as sadaqah or tithes.
Her remarks add to ongoing conversations about electoral reform and the need for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s political financing system.