Opposition parties have raised concerns over campaign funding ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress enjoys a financial advantage while economic hardship and fear of political reprisals are discouraging potential donors from supporting rival parties.
In separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH, officials of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the Tanimu Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Peoples Redemption Party, the Young Progressives Party and the Obidient Movement Worldwide said the funding gap could undermine their ability to compete effectively with the ruling party.
They said they were turning to grassroots mobilisation, town hall meetings, digital campaigns, voluntary contributions and political alliances to reach voters without matching the APC’s financial resources.
The concerns come as the Electoral Act 2026 raises campaign expenditure limits, increasing the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend from N5bn to N10bn, while the ceiling for governorship candidates rises from N1bn to N3bn.
Under the law, senatorial candidates can spend up to N500m, against N100m previously, while the limit for House of Representatives candidates has increased from N70m to N250m.
State House of Assembly candidates can now spend N100m, compared with N30m previously.
The spending ceiling for Area Council chairmanship candidates has also risen from N30m to N60m, while that for councillorship candidates has doubled from N5m to N10m.
