The House of Representatives has approved a major upward review of campaign spending limits for candidates seeking elective offices in Nigeria, as part of efforts to amend the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gossip News Now reports that the decision was reached during Thursday’s plenary session following a clause-by-clause consideration of a report on the proposed amendments to the electoral law.
Under the approved changes, the maximum campaign expenditure for presidential candidates has been doubled from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion.
Lawmakers also endorsed significant increases in spending ceilings for other elective positions nationwide.
The campaign spending limit for governorship candidates was raised from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion, while senatorial candidates can now spend up to ₦500 million, compared to the previous ₦100 million limit.
Similarly, candidates contesting seats in the House of Representatives will now be permitted to spend as much as ₦250 million, up from ₦70 million.
At the state level, aspirants seeking election into State Houses of Assembly can now spend a maximum of ₦100 million on campaigns, an increase from the former ₦30 million cap.
For local government elections, chairmanship candidates were granted a higher spending ceiling of ₦100 million, compared to the earlier ₦30 million limit.
Councillorship candidates also benefited from the review, with their campaign expenditure limit doubled from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.
Beyond campaign spending, the House approved a sharp increase in the maximum amount individuals or organisations may donate to a candidate. Under the proposed amendment, the donation limit was raised from ₦50 million to ₦500 million.
Lawmakers said the decision reflects current economic realities and the escalating cost of political campaigns.
According to Naija News, the revised spending thresholds are 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 key amendment mandating the real-time electronic transmission of election results—an electoral reform long demanded by civil society groups and election observers.
The proposed amendments to the Electoral Act will become law once they are passed by the Senate and assented to by the President.
