Reps Increase Presidential Campaign Spending Limit From N5bn To N10bn

Reps have increased the presidential campaign spending limit from N5bn to N10bn

NewsRain Nigeria reports that the House of Representatives has approved an increase in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices across the country.

The changes were adopted on Thursday during a clause-by-clause consideration of a report recommending amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, presided over by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker.

Under the approved amendments, the ceiling on campaign expenditure for presidential candidates was doubled to ₦10 billion, up from the ₦5 billion limit stipulated in the existing law.

Lawmakers also approved an increase in the spending cap for gubernatorial candidates, raising it to ₦3 billion from the current ₦1 billion.

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Legislative contests also saw substantial upward revisions. The maximum amount senatorial candidates are permitted to spend on campaigns was increased fivefold to ₦500 million, compared with the ₦100 million allowed under the Electoral Act 2022. Candidates contesting seats in the House of Representatives will now be able to spend up to ₦250 million, up from the previous ₦70 million limit.

At sub-national levels, the House approved higher spending ceilings across state and local government elections. Candidates contesting elections into state Houses of Assembly will now be allowed to spend as much as ₦100 million, more than three times the ₦30 million previously permitted.

The same ₦100 million cap was approved for candidates seeking election as local government chairpersons, replacing the existing ₦30 million ceiling.

For councillorship elections, lawmakers raised the spending limit to ₦10 million from ₦5 million.

In addition to revising expenditure limits, the House approved a new restriction on political donations, setting a maximum contribution of ₦500 million per candidate from individuals or corporate entities.

Lawmakers said the provision was aimed at curbing undue influence by wealthy donors and addressing concerns over excessive monetisation of the electoral process.

The House said the amendments form part of broader efforts to strengthen the credibility, transparency and integrity of Nigeria’s elections, particularly as campaign costs have continued to rise amid inflation, currency depreciation and expanding logistical demands associated with nationwide contests.

The approved amendments will now proceed to the Senate for concurrence.