2027 Campaign Spending Could Hit N571bn as Presidential, Governorship Races Heat Up

Official campaigns for the 2027 general elections commenced on Wednesday, with spending limits under the new Electoral Act setting a combined maximum expenditure ceiling of N571 billion for presidential and governorship candidates.

According to provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, each of the 19 presidential candidates is permitted to spend up to N10 billion, bringing the total potential spending for the presidential race to N190 billion. For the governorship contests, 127 candidates across 28 states are each allowed to spend up to N3 billion, amounting to a collective limit of N381 billion.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the personal particulars and credentials of all presidential candidates and their running mates, signalling the formal start of the campaign period.

The presidential race includes 19 contenders, among them incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Other candidates are drawn from various political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, African Action Congress, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, and Allied Peoples Movement.

Governorship elections will be held in 28 states, with Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun excluded due to their off-cycle schedules.

New Spending Limits and Enforcement Concerns

The Electoral Act 2026 raises campaign expenditure ceilings significantly. Senatorial candidates may spend up to N500 million, House of Representatives candidates up to N250 million, and State House of Assembly candidates up to N100 million. Individual donations are capped at N500 million per candidate.

Candidates who knowingly exceed the spending limits face fines equivalent to one percent of the permitted amount or imprisonment for up to 12 months.

However, enforcement remains a major concern. Civil society organisations have noted that no Nigerian politician has been successfully prosecuted for exceeding campaign spending limits, raising questions about the effectiveness of the new provisions.

Broadcasters Warned on Coverage

The National Broadcasting Commission has cautioned media houses, online publishers, and bloggers against spreading misinformation, hate speech, or inflammatory content during the campaign season.

Broadcasters have been directed to ensure fair and balanced coverage, verify political claims before airing them, and refrain from projecting unofficial election results. The commission also warned against airing content capable of inciting violence or deepening ethnic, religious, or political divisions.

The NBC said it would intensify monitoring of political broadcasts throughout the electioneering period.