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The Nigerian House of Representatives has approved a substantial increase in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting various elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections. This significant legislative action, part of ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, will see presidential candidates permitted to spend up to ₦10 billion, a doubling of the previous ceiling. The move also includes a tenfold hike in the maximum amount an individual or organisation can donate to a political campaign, now set at ₦500 million.
During a Thursday plenary session, lawmakers conducted a clause-by-clause consideration of the proposed changes to the electoral law. The approved amendments reflect a broad upward review across all tiers of government, with the House citing “present economic realities and the rising cost of political campaigns” as the primary justification for these adjustments. This decision is poised to reshape the financial landscape of future elections in Africa’s most populous nation.
Under the revised framework, the maximum expenditure for a presidential candidate has escalated from the existing ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion. Similarly, gubernatorial aspirants will now be allowed to spend up to ₦3 billion on their campaigns, a significant jump from the previous ₦1 billion. These changes highlight a legislative acknowledgement of the increasing financial demands associated with seeking high office in Nigeria.
The adjustments extend to federal legislative positions as well. Candidates vying for a seat in the Senate can now spend up to ₦500 million, a fivefold increase from the former ₦100 million limit. For those seeking election into the House of Representatives, the spending cap has been raised from ₦70 million to ₦250 million, reflecting a substantial upward revision designed to accommodate contemporary campaign costs.
At the state and local government levels, the increases are equally pronounced. Candidates for State Houses of Assembly will now face a limit of ₦100 million, up from ₦30 million. Furthermore, chairmanship candidates in local government elections can spend up to ₦100 million, also an increase from ₦30 million, while councillorship candidates will see their limit double from ₦5 million to ₦10 million. These widespread revisions aim to align campaign finance regulations with current economic conditions.
Crucially, the House also sanctioned a dramatic increase in the maximum donation an individual or organisation can make to a candidate, elevating it from ₦50 million to a staggering ₦500 million. Proponents argue this adjustment is necessary to reflect the depreciated value of the Naira and the escalating operational costs of political campaigns. Critics, however, may raise concerns about the potential for undue influence by wealthy donors.
These financial amendments form part of a broader legislative drive by the National Assembly to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. Earlier in the week, the House also approved another significant reform, mandating the real-time electronic transmission of election results, a measure long advocated by civil society organisations and election observer groups to enhance transparency and credibility.
While proponents assert that these increased limits are a pragmatic response to inflation and the actual cost of running modern campaigns, the decision is likely to spark debate. Concerns may emerge regarding the potential for further monetisation of politics, potentially creating higher barriers to entry for less affluent candidates and exacerbating the influence of money in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The proposed amendments to the Electoral Act will not take immediate effect. They still require concurrence from the Senate, Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, before being forwarded for presidential assent. Only upon the President’s signature will these revised campaign finance regulations become law, officially setting the stage for the financial parameters of the upcoming 2027 elections.
The comprehensive nature of these revisions underscores the National Assembly’s commitment to refining the electoral landscape. However, the balance between realistic campaign funding and ensuring a level playing field for all political contenders remains a critical consideration as Nigeria prepares for its next cycle of democratic transitions.
