"New Campaign Spending Caps Threaten INEC and Undermine Nigeria’s Democracy, Warns Expert"

Table of Contents

1. Warning on Democracy
2. Professor's Comments
3. Electoral Act Amendment
4. Increased Spending Limits
5. Donation Limits
6. Impact on Democracy
7. Concerns About Corruption
8. Influence on Policy
9. Voter Participation Issues
10. Advantage for Incumbents
11. Need for Transparency

A political scientist has cautioned that Nigeria’s democracy may become increasingly biased towards the affluent following the House of Representatives’ decision to significantly raise campaign spending limits for candidates vying for elective positions.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Professor Murtala Muhammad from Northwest University, Kano, stated that the revised limits could transform elections into battles of financial strength rather than contests of ideas, competence, and public confidence.

He noted that while the introduction of real-time electronic transmission of results is a commendable reform, it is overshadowed by what he termed “a perilous recalibration” of campaign financing regulations that could exacerbate inequality and diminish democratic accountability.

These concerns arose after the House approved the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, following a detailed consideration of a report from the House Committee on Electoral Matters, led by Adebayo Balogun.

Under the revised law, the maximum expenditure for a presidential candidate has been raised from N5 billion to N10 billion, while the cap for governorship candidates has increased from N1 billion to N3 billion.

Spending limits have also been elevated at other levels. Senatorial candidates can now spend up to N500 million, up from N100 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives are permitted N250 million, a rise from the previous N70 million. For state constituencies, the limit increased from N30 million to N100 million; chairmanship candidates can now spend N60 million instead of N30 million, while the limits for councillorship candidates have doubled from N5 million to N10 million.

The House also approved a provision that restricts individual or corporate donations to a maximum of N500 million per candidate. Additionally, it passed an amendment requiring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit election results electronically in real time.

However, Professor Muhammad warned that elevated spending limits could position wealth as the primary pathway to political power in a nation characterized by significant economic disparity.

“These new limits close the door on average citizens, grassroots leaders, women, and young people who lack access to substantial financial resources,” he remarked.

“Politics then becomes the domain of the wealthy and their sponsors, rather than a platform for broad representation.”

He cautioned that these changes could accelerate Nigeria’s shift from popular democracy to “plutocracy,” where financial resources dictate electoral outcomes and influence.

“When winning elections largely hinges on money, accountability shifts from voters to financiers,” he explained.
“Elected officials start to respond more to donors than to the populace, thereby eroding public trust in government.”

Professor Muhammad also expressed concern that higher spending limits would promote what he called the “investment logic” of politics, where candidates perceive public office as a way to recoup campaign expenses.

“This mentality fosters corruption,” he said, emphasizing that it could lead to inflated contracts, patronage, rent-seeking, and misuse of public resources. “Public service becomes secondary to profit.”

While recognizing the donation cap of N500 million per candidate, Professor Muhammad argued that the overall level of permitted spending still grants wealthy individuals and organized interests disproportionate influence over policy decisions, appointments, and governance outcomes.

He further warned that excessive money in politics could compromise election integrity by facilitating vote buying and transactional politics, particularly in regions where enforcement of campaign finance rules is lax.

“Instead of issue-driven campaigns, voters become mere targets for financial inducements,” he stated.

“This undermines participation, trust, and the credibility of election results.”

According to him, the new framework also favors incumbents and established parties with access to state resources and donor networks, making it increasingly challenging for reform-minded candidates and emerging parties to compete.

Without robust transparency mechanisms, enforcement, and sanctions, he warned, the amendments could weaken INEC, damage institutional credibility, and ultimately jeopardize Nigeria’s democratic aspirations.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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