Opposition Parties Raise Alarm Over 2027 Campaign Funding

Opposition parties have raised concerns over campaign funding ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They allege that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) enjoys a financial advantage while economic hardship and fear of political reprisals are discouraging potential donors from supporting rival parties .

In separate comments, officials of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Tanimu Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and the Obidient Movement Worldwide said the funding gap could undermine their ability to compete effectively.

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.

Presidential candidates can now spend up to ₦10bn, against ₦5bn previously, while the ceiling for governorship candidates rose from ₦1bn to ₦3bn.

Senatorial candidates can spend up to ₦500m, against ₦100m previously. House of Representatives candidates are now capped at ₦250m, up from ₦70m.

The law further raised the maximum contribution an individual or entity may make to a political party or candidate from ₦50m to ₦500m .

The National Assembly defended the review, citing inflation and rising costs of advertising, logistics and campaign organisation.

NDC Says APC Has Bottomless Resources

The National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, said the APC enjoyed “bottomless resources”, but argued that the financial advantage would not translate into electoral victory.

“The signs and the stigma are there for everybody to see, hence the reason more people are resolved to vote them out in 2027,” he added.

Director said the NDC would prioritise town hall meetings and grassroots engagement rather than make expensive rallies the centrepiece of its campaign.

He said the party had begun mobilising at the local level and was building structures across constituencies.

“However, the NDC is going to cope because we will campaign through the nooks and crannies of Nigeria,” he stated.

Director attributed the funding disparity to what he alleged was the ruling party’s failure to distinguish between public funds and personal resources.

“Funding is a challenge to anyone except the APC, because they have not been able to understand the difference between public funds and personal resources. To them, Nigeria’s money is theirs,” he said.

PDP Says Political Space Constriction Is Bigger Problem

For the Tanimu Turaki-led interim NWC of the PDP, campaign funding is not the most pressing problem confronting opposition parties.

The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said restrictions on political participation, alleged intimidation and threats of violence posed greater risks.

“Personally, I don’t think the campaign funding challenge of the opposition should be the primary issue here. It’s the constriction of the political space, and this is a complaint we have made several times,” he said.

Ememobong said the PDP was relying on committed members willing to contribute their personal resources, as it had done when the party was established.

He argued that members’ financial contributions had enabled the party to continue its activities despite ongoing legal disputes.

“For us in the PDP, it is a known fact that when we started, we did not have money. We only had people who were dedicated. So, what money could have done, people did. That is the funding model we are also taking today,” he added.

PRP Blames Poverty for Election Monetisation

The National Chairman of the PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said his party and other opposition groups seeking to build an alliance against the APC lacked the financial resources to match the ruling party.

He blamed the monetisation of elections on worsening poverty .

“Our people’s poverty is deepened by governors and those in power and further exploited during elections. They have turned the political arena into a contest of who has the most money to buy people’s support and possibly votes,” Baba-Ahmed said.

The PRP chairman said the group and its allies were developing campaign strategies that would not depend on distributing money to voters.

“The PRP and most parties involved in the alliance to build a solid resistance to the return of the APC really don’t have that kind of money. That is because we don’t have any sources to steal from,” he said.

YPP Turns to Digital Campaigns as Obidient Movement Alleges Donor Intimidation

The YPP National Publicity Secretary, Martins Egbeola, identified access to state resources as a major advantage for the ruling party.

He said the party was adopting a cost-effective strategy based on digital platforms, grassroots mobilisation and direct engagement with voters .

Meanwhile, the Media Director of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Onyeka Dike, said alleged intimidation of individuals supporting Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso was discouraging potential donors.

He cited the sealing of the business premises of Tobore Alex Agbah, a businessman accused of organising a 10,000-man march in support of the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, by the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State .

“This is the kind of incident that sends a chilling message to other Nigerians who may wish to support the opposition,” Dike said.

APC Challenges Opposition to Provide Evidence

The APC denied allegations that it uses state funds to finance its campaigns. The party said its financial strength reflected its widespread acceptance and the support of major donors .

Speaking with journalists, the party National Director of Publicity, Malam Bala Ibrahim, described the opposition’s allegations as baseless. “Have they got any proof that APC, as the ruling party, is getting funds from public funds or getting money from the state treasury?” he asked.

“Unless and until there is such a proof, the opposition parties have no point,” Ibrahim said. He argued that the party’s ability to attract more donors reflected its membership strength and public acceptance rather than evidence of access to public funds.

“It is natural that the APC has more major donors and campaign financiers than other parties. We are in the majority. We have the public acceptance,” he said.