Nigeria’s campaign finance framework has undergone a major overhaul following the amendment of the Electoral Act, with the National Assembly increasing the spending ceiling for presidential candidates to ₦10 billion ahead of the 2027 general election.
The revised law, signed on February 18 by President Bola Tinubu, doubles the previous ₦5 billion cap contained in the Electoral Act 2022.
Under the new provisions, governorship candidates can now spend up to ₦3 billion, up from ₦1 billion. Senate candidates have seen their limit rise from ₦100 million to ₦500 million, while House of Representatives aspirants can spend ₦250 million, an increase from the former ₦70 million ceiling.
Similarly, state House of Assembly candidates now have a ₦100 million cap, up from ₦30 million. Area council chairmanship candidates may spend ₦60 million, compared to the previous ₦30 million, while councillorship candidates are permitted to spend ₦10 million, double the earlier ₦5 million limit.
According to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the upward review reflects current economic realities and rising campaign costs, while maintaining statutory limits to regulate political financing amid inflationary pressures.
Beyond campaign finance adjustments, the Electoral Act 2026 introduces tougher penalties for electoral offences.
Individuals found guilty of vote buying, impersonation, or result manipulation face up to two years’ imprisonment or fines ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦2 million, or both.
Presiding officers who deliberately obstruct the electronic transmission of results risk six months’ imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine.
The legislation also makes the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System compulsory and mandates electronic transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal.
Lawmakers maintain that the reforms are aimed at strengthening transparency, minimizing post-election disputes, and boosting public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process as preparations intensify for 2027.
