On December 18-19, 2025, the Nigerian House of Representatives approved significant amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, including substantial increases in campaign expenditure limits for candidates across various elective positions. The changes, aimed at reflecting economic realities such as inflation, were passed during plenary sessions following clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 report, presented by the House Committee on Electoral Matters chaired by Hon. Adebayo Balogun.
Key among the revisions is the doubling of the presidential campaign spending ceiling from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion. Gubernatorial candidates saw their limit raised from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion. Senatorial candidates' cap increased fivefold from ₦100 million to ₦500 million, while those contesting for the House of Representatives can now spend up to ₦250 million, up from ₦70 million.
At the state level, candidates for State Houses of Assembly will be permitted expenditures of up to ₦100 million, compared to the previous ₦30 million. Local government elections also received adjustments: chairmanship candidates' limit rose from ₦30 million to ₦100 million, and councillorship candidates from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.
Additionally, the House approved a tenfold increase in the maximum donation an individual or entity can make to a candidate, from ₦50 million to ₦500 million. This provision seeks to provide greater flexibility in campaign financing while maintaining regulatory oversight by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The amendments are part of a broader package of electoral reforms. On Wednesday, December 17, the House mandated real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to INEC's IReV portal, alongside formal recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Other approved measures include stiffer penalties for vote buying and selling (minimum two-year imprisonment, ₦5 million fine, or both, plus a 10-year ban from contesting elections), increased sanctions for multiple voter registration, and requirements for early release of election funds to INEC.
Committee Chairman Balogun explained that the bill shifted from an initial repeal-and-reenactment approach to targeted amendments after some far-reaching proposals—like diaspora voting, early voting, and inmate voting—failed to gain consensus. He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one of Nigeria's most progressive laws and emphasized that the changes consolidate its strengths while addressing gaps for better implementation.
The spending limit increases have sparked debate. Proponents argue they align with rising costs of political campaigns, including media, logistics, and mobilization in a large nation like Nigeria. Critics, however, contend that higher caps could exacerbate the monetization of politics, pricing out grassroots candidates and favoring wealthy individuals or those with deep-pocketed sponsors.
Civil society groups have mixed reactions: welcoming transparency enhancements like mandatory real-time transmission but expressing concern over elevated spending thresholds potentially entrenching inequality in electoral contests.
The amendments require Senate concurrence and presidential assent to become law, with implementation eyed for the 2027 general elections. INEC will monitor compliance, retaining powers to impose fines or disqualifications for violations.
This legislative move reflects ongoing efforts to refine Nigeria's electoral framework post-2023 controversies, balancing practicality with calls for reduced influence of money in politics.
