The House of Representatives on Thursday approved significant increases in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elections across Nigeria, signaling a major shift in the financing of political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The changes were adopted during a detailed clause-by-clause review of recommended amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The move has generated mixed reactions, with proponents citing the need to match inflation and modern campaign demands, while critics warn of potential escalation in electoral monetisation.
Reps Raise Election Campaign Spending Caps for Presidential and Governorship Contests
Under the newly approved amendments, presidential candidates can now spend up to ₦10 billion, doubling the previous limit of ₦5 billion. Similarly, governorship aspirants will have a ceiling of ₦3 billion, up from the prior ₦1 billion.
These adjustments reflect the House’s acknowledgment of rising operational costs, including campaign logistics, nationwide outreach, and media engagement, which have increased substantially amid inflationary pressures and currency depreciation.
Deputy Speaker Kalu explained that the reforms aim to provide a realistic framework for campaign funding, balancing the need for effective electoral participation with measures to prevent misuse of funds.
Legislative Election Spending Caps Also Increased
The House did not only focus on executive-level elections. Legislative candidates will also see a substantial rise in campaign expenditure limits.
Senatorial candidates, for instance, may now spend up to ₦500 million, a fivefold increase from the ₦100 million limit under the previous law.
Similarly, candidates for the House of Representatives can expend up to ₦250 million, more than triple the earlier ₦70 million cap.
These revisions were made to ensure that legislators at all levels have adequate resources to reach voters and run effective campaigns across their constituencies.
Sub-National Elections to Benefit from Higher Spending Limits
At the state and local government levels, the House approved broader upward revisions.
Candidates seeking election to state Houses of Assembly will now have a ₦100 million ceiling, up from ₦30 million, while local government chairperson aspirants face the same ₦100 million limit.
For councillorship elections, lawmakers increased the maximum permissible expenditure to ₦10 million, doubling the prior ₦5 million limit.
These measures are intended to standardize campaign financing rules across all levels of political contests.
New Restrictions on Political Donations
In addition to raising spending limits, the House approved a restriction on political contributions, capping donations from individuals or corporate entities at ₦500 million per candidate.
The provision is designed to curb undue influence by wealthy donors and mitigate the excessive monetisation of the electoral process.
Lawmakers emphasized that political financing reforms are essential to strengthening transparency, integrity, and fairness in Nigerian elections.
Implications of the Reforms
Analysts suggest that while the increases in campaign spending limits reflect the realities of modern electioneering, they may also intensify competition for financial resources among political parties and candidates.
Proponents argue that the amendments will allow candidates to conduct broader campaigns, engage voters across the country, and better utilize technology and media platforms for voter education.
Critics, however, warn that without strict enforcement and monitoring, the reforms could exacerbate election-related corruption and the influence of money in politics.
Next Steps for Electoral Reforms
The approved amendments now await Senate concurrence before becoming law.
Once enacted, the revised campaign spending limits will serve as a framework for the 2027 general elections, shaping how candidates plan and finance their political activities.
Speaking on the floor of the House, some lawmakers stressed that these reforms were part of a broader effort to enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, protect the rights of candidates to campaign effectively, and ensure equitable participation in political contests nationwide.
Balancing Effective Campaigning with Electoral Integrity
The House of Representatives’ decision to raise election campaign spending caps represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
By acknowledging the rising costs of modern electioneering while instituting limits on donations, the legislature seeks to strike a balance between effective campaigning and the integrity of the electoral process.
As Nigeria approaches its next cycle of general elections, the implementation of these reforms will be closely watched by political stakeholders, civil society groups, and the electorate, who are eager to see whether higher spending ceilings will translate into more informed and participatory campaigns—or simply amplify the role of money in politics.
