House of Representatives increases presidential campaign spending limit
Members of the House of Representatives have approved an amendment to Nigeria’s Electoral Act that increases the campaign spending limit for presidential candidates from five billion naira to ten billion naira ahead of the 2027 general elections. The decision was taken during plenary after lawmakers debated rising campaign costs and the changing economic realities of political contests across the country.
Lawmakers supporting the amendment said the previous spending ceiling no longer reflected the true cost of nationwide campaigns, including logistics, media outreach, and security. They argued that inflation and the expanded scope of modern political campaigns made the earlier limit unrealistic and difficult to enforce. The House agreed that updating the law was necessary to align election financing with current conditions.
The amendment also affects other elective offices, as spending limits for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly candidates were reviewed upward. In addition, the maximum amount individuals and organisations can donate to candidates was increased. Proponents said these changes would promote transparency by bringing campaign expenses into the open rather than pushing funding into informal channels.
However, the decision has generated public debate, with critics warning that higher spending limits could encourage money politics and give wealthy candidates an unfair advantage. Civil society groups and political analysts have expressed concern that the move may widen inequality in the political process and make it harder for grassroots candidates to compete effectively.
The amended bill will now move to the Senate for consideration. If approved by both chambers and signed into law by the President, the new spending limits will apply to campaigns leading up to the 2027 elections. The development marks a major shift in Nigeria’s campaign finance framework and is expected to shape political strategies in the coming years.
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