Opposition parties in Nigeria have expressed concerns about the funding gap ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress enjoys a significant financial advantage. This has raised fears that the opposition parties may struggle to compete effectively. The concerns were raised in separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH by officials of various opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Peoples Redemption Party, the Young Progressives Party, and the Obidient Movement Worldwide.
The opposition parties have stated that they are turning to alternative campaign strategies, such as grassroots mobilisation, town hall meetings, digital campaigns, voluntary contributions, and political alliances, to reach voters without matching the APC's financial resources. The Electoral Act 2026 has increased campaign expenditure limits, with the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend rising from N5bn to N10bn. The ceiling for governorship candidates has also increased from N1bn to N3bn, while senatorial candidates can now spend up to N500m, against N100m previously.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Osa Director, has stated that the APC's financial advantage would not translate into electoral victory. He attributed the funding disparity to the ruling party's alleged failure to distinguish between public funds and personal resources. Director said the NDC would prioritise town hall meetings and grassroots engagement rather than expensive rallies, adding that the party had begun mobilising at the local level and building structures across constituencies.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ini Ememobong, has stated that campaign funding is not the most pressing problem confronting opposition parties. He argued that restrictions on political participation, alleged intimidation, and threats of violence posed greater risks than the inability to match the ruling party's financial resources. Ememobong said the PDP was relying on committed members willing to contribute their personal resources.
The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has blamed the monetisation of elections on worsening poverty, accusing political leaders of exploiting voters' economic vulnerability to secure electoral support. He stated that the PRP and other opposition groups seeking to build an alliance against the APC lacked the financial resources to match the ruling party.
The opposition parties have acknowledged that the country's economic difficulties have affected their ability to fund their campaigns. However, they have expressed determination to manage with the resources available to them and to find alternative ways to reach voters. The parties have also criticised what they described as attempts to use financial inducements to influence voters.
The concerns about campaign funding come as the National Assembly has defended the review of the Electoral Act, arguing that inflation and rising costs of advertising, logistics, and campaign organisation made the previous limits unrealistic. However, opposition leaders have raised fresh concerns about the ability of parties with limited resources to compete in an electoral environment where money remains a major factor.
Key points
- The opposition parties are turning to alternative campaign strategies, such as grassroots mobilisation and digital campaigns, to reach voters without matching the APC's financial resources.
- The Electoral Act 2026 has increased campaign expenditure limits, with the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend rising from N5bn to N10bn.
- The opposition parties have expressed concerns about the use of financial inducements to influence voters and the restrictions on political participation, alleged intimidation, and threats of violence.
