The House of Representatives has approved a significant increase in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices in Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to amend the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Naijaonpoint reports that the decision was taken during Thursday’s plenary following the clause-by-clause consideration of a report on the proposed amendments to the electoral law.
Under the approved changes, the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend on electioneering campaigns was doubled from ₦5 billion, as stipulated in the existing Act, to ₦10 billion.
The lawmakers also approved a substantial upward review of spending ceilings for other elective positions across the country.
For governorship elections, the campaign expenditure limit was increased from ₦1 billion to ₦3bn, while senatorial candidates can now spend up to ₦500 million, up from the previous ₦100m.
Similarly, the spending cap for candidates seeking election into the House of Representatives was raised from ₦70m to ₦250m.
At the state level, candidates contesting seats in the State Houses of Assembly will now be allowed to spend a maximum of ₦100m, an increase from the former ₦30m limit.
For local government elections, the approved amendments allow chairmanship candidates to spend up to ₦100m on campaigns, compared to the ₦30m previously permitted.
Councillorship candidates also benefited from the review, with their spending limit doubled from ₦5m to ₦10m.
In addition to raising campaign expenditure limits, the House also approved a steep increase in the maximum amount an individual or organisation can donate to a candidate.
Under the proposed amendment, the donation ceiling was raised from ₦50m to ₦500m, a move lawmakers said aligns with present economic realities and the rising cost of political campaigns.
Naijaonpoint reports that the adjustments form part of broader legislative efforts by the National Assembly to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recall that on Wednesday, the House approved another major amendment mandating the real-time electronic transmission of election results, a reform long advocated by civil society groups and election observers.
The proposed amendments to the Electoral Act will take effect once they are concurred to by the Senate and subsequently assented to by the President.