INEC Boss, Mahmood Yakubu, Blows Hot Over Nigeria’s Election Campaign Spending Limit

The chairman of the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has warned that political candidates who fail to adhere to the campaign spending limit will be sanctioned.

Yakubu advised the candidates to study and familiarise themselves with the electoral legal framework because INEC will closely monitor compliance, as the 150 days election campaign period commenced on Wednesday. 

His warning comes as the country prepares for its general election which will be holding in 2023. This comprises of one Presidential election, 28 Governorship elections, 109 Senatorial election, 360 Federal constituencies, and 993 State Assembly constituencies elections. 

How much each political candidate is allowed to spend

The candidates vying for these political seats have been issued their spending limit during the campaign period. The Presidential candidates are expected to spend no more than N5 billion. 

Governorship aspirants have been handed N1 billion, Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates are not to exceed N100 million and N70 million respectively. 

Candidates in the State Assembly election are limited to N30 million, while those vying for chairmanship election to an Area Council were restricted to N30 million as well. 

According to Yakuba, the political candidates must ensure they spend within the limit, “the Commission will also closely monitor compliance with the limits on campaign spending under the Electoral Act. 

“There are sanctions provided by law. Political parties and candidates should study and familiarise themselves with the electoral legal framework to avoid any infraction of the law and the unhappy consequences that will follow any act of misdemeanor.” the INEC boss said.