NASS Raises Presidential Campaign Spending Limit to N10bn Ahead of 2027 Elections

National Assembly has raised Presidential Campaign Spending Limit to N10bn ahead of 2027 elections in the newly signed Electoral Act 2026.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the National Assembly of Nigeria has doubled the campaign spending limit for presidential candidates to N10 billion and increased the governorship ceiling to N3 billion under the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, significantly reshaping the financial landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The revised thresholds were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs. The reforms are part of the new electoral framework recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

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New Presidential, Governorship Spending Limits

 

According to the statement, Section 92 (1–8) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides for the upward review of campaign finance ceilings, citing current economic realities and the rising cost of political campaigns.

Under the repealed Electoral Act 2022, presidential candidates were limited to N5 billion in campaign expenditure. The new law increases that cap to N10 billion.

Governorship candidates will now be permitted to spend up to N3 billion, up from the previous N1 billion limit.

Revised Limits for Other Offices

The Electoral Act 2026 also introduces higher spending ceilings for other elective positions:

• Senate candidates: N500 million (up from N100 million)

• House of Representatives candidates: N250 million (up from N70 million)

• State House of Assembly candidates: N100 million (up from N30 million)

At the local government level:

• Area Council chairmanship candidates: N60 million (up from N30 million)

• Councillorship candidates: N10 million (up from N5 million)

Safeguards and Enforcement

Bamidele stated that while the financial limits have been raised, statutory controls remain in place to regulate election financing and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

He added that enforcement mechanisms have been retained, including sanctions for candidates who exceed the prescribed spending thresholds.

The revised campaign finance provisions form part of broader reforms harmonised by both chambers of the National Assembly on February 17 before receiving presidential assent.

With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the new spending limits are expected to significantly influence political strategy, fundraising, and party mobilisation nationwide.