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INEC at risk: New campaign spending limits threaten Nigeria’s democracy – Don

December 23, 2025

A political scientist has cautioned that Nigeria’s democracy could become increasingly skewed in favour of the wealthy following the House of Representatives’ decision to significantly raise campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices, warning that the move could also weaken the oversight role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking in an interview, Professor Murtala Muhammad of Northwest University, Kano, warned that the revised limits on INEC may transform elections into battles of financial strength rather than contests based on ideas, competence, and public confidence.

He noted that while the provision for real-time electronic transmission of results is a welcome reform, it is largely overshadowed by what he described as a “dangerous recalibration” of campaign finance regulations that could worsen inequality and weaken democratic accountability.

The concerns on INEC come after the House passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, following clause-by-clause consideration of a report by the House Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Adebayo Balogun.

Under the amended law, the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend was increased from N5 billion to N10 billion, while the limit for governorship candidates rose from N1 billion to N3 billion.

Campaign spending ceilings were also raised across other levels. Senatorial candidates can now spend up to N500 million, up from N100 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives are allowed N250 million, compared to the previous N70 million. For state constituencies, the cap was raised from N30 million to N100 million; chairmanship candidates can now spend N60 million instead of N30 million, while councillorship candidates’ limits doubled from N5 million to N10 million.

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

However, Professor Muhammad cautioned that higher spending limits could make wealth the main gateway to political power in a country marked by deep economic inequality.

“These new limits shut the door on ordinary citizens, grassroots leaders, women and young people who do not have access to huge financial resources,” he said.

“Politics then becomes the space of the rich and their sponsors, not a platform for broad representation.”

He warned that the changes could accelerate what he described as Nigeria’s drift from popular democracy to “plutocracy,” where money dictates who gets elected and who holds influence.

“When winning elections depends largely on money, accountability shifts from voters to financiers,” he explained.
“Elected officials begin to answer more to donors than to the people, and that weakens public trust in government.”

Professor Muhammad also expressed concern that higher spending caps would encourage what he called the “investment logic” of politics, where candidates see public office as a means to recover campaign expenses.

“This mindset fuels corruption,” he said, noting that it could lead to inflated contracts, patronage, rent-seeking and misuse of public funds. “Public service becomes secondary to profit.”

While acknowledging the donation cap of N500 million per candidate, Professor Muhammad argued that the overall scale of permitted spending still gives wealthy individuals and organised interests outsized influence over policy decisions, appointments and governance outcomes.

He further warned that excessive money in politics could undermine election integrity by promoting vote buying and transactional politics, especially in areas where enforcement of campaign finance rules is weak.

“Instead of issue-based campaigns, voters are reduced to targets of financial inducement,” he said.

“This erodes participation, trust and the credibility of election outcomes.”

According to him, the new regime also favours incumbents and established parties with access to state resources and donor networks, making it harder for reform-minded candidates and emerging parties to compete with INEC.

Without strong transparency mechanisms, enforcement and sanctions, he warned, the amendments could weaken INEC, damage institutional credibility and ultimately undermine Nigeria’s democratic project.