A political scientist has cautioned that Nigeria’s democracy could tilt further in favour of the wealthy following the decision by the House of Representatives to significantly raise campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices.
Speaking on the development, Professor Murtala Muhammad of Northwest University, Kano, warned that the new thresholds risk transforming elections into battles of financial muscle rather than contests driven by ideas, competence and public confidence.
Professor Muhammad acknowledged that the introduction of real-time electronic transmission of election results represents a progressive step toward strengthening electoral credibility.
However, he argued that this reform is largely overshadowed by what he described as a “dangerous recalibration” of campaign finance rules that could deepen inequality and weaken democratic accountability.
His comments followed the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the House of Representatives after a clause-by-clause consideration of a report presented by the House Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Adebayo Balogun.
Under the amended law, the maximum campaign expenditure for presidential candidates has been increased from N5 billion to N10 billion, while governorship candidates can now spend up to N3 billion, compared to the previous limit of N1 billion.
The spending ceilings were also raised across other elective positions. Senatorial candidates may now spend N500 million, up from N100 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives can spend N250 million, compared to the former N70 million limit.
For state House of Assembly 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 saw their spending limit doubled from N5 million to N10 million.
In addition, the House approved a provision limiting individual or corporate donations to a maximum of N500 million per candidate. The lawmakers also passed an amendment mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit election results electronically in real time.
Despite these safeguards, Professor Muhammad warned that higher spending limits could make wealth the primary gateway to political power in a country grappling with 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 cautioned that the changes could accelerate what he described as Nigeria’s gradual shift from popular democracy to plutocracy, where money determines who gets elected and who wields 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 further expressed concern that the higher spending caps could encourage an “investment logic” in politics, where candidates view public office as a means of recouping campaign expenses.
“This mindset fuels corruption,” he warned, adding that it could lead to inflated contracts, patronage, rent-seeking and the misuse of public funds. “Public service becomes secondary to profit.”
According to him, the amended regime further advantages incumbents and established political parties with access to state resources and extensive donor networks, making it increasingly difficult for reform-minded candidates and emerging parties to compete.