Several opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and the Obidient Movement Worldwide, have raised the alarm over a significant funding imbalance with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections. They warned that the gap could hurt their ability to campaign effectively, according to The Punch.
Electoral Act 2026 Doubles Spending Limits
The concerns come as the Electoral Act 2026 raised spending ceilings for all levels of elective office. Presidential candidates can now spend up to N10 billion, double the previous N5 billion limit. Governorship candidates can spend N3 billion, up from N1 billion, while senatorial candidates can now spend N500 million compared to N100 million before. The maximum individual or corporate donation to a party or candidate also rose sharply from N50 million to N500 million.
Officials from the NDC, the Tanimu Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the PDP, the PRP, the YPP and the Obidient Movement all spoke separately to The Punch on the issue.
Opposition Parties Outline Strategies
NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director said his party would lean on town hall meetings and local-level engagement rather than expensive rallies, accusing the APC of blurring the line between public funds and party finances. "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.
The Tanimu Turaki-led PDP's spokesman, Ini Ememobong, said fundraising was not his group's biggest concern. He argued that shrinking political space, alleged threats and intimidation were the more serious obstacles. "The more important thing is the systemic constriction of the political space, where you now discover that threats are being issued that you cannot go to some places except you take permission from governors," he said.
PRP National Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed blamed worsening poverty for making vote-buying easier, calling elections under the current administration "a contest of who has the most money." He stated that the PRP and its prospective alliance partners would design campaigns around policy alternatives rather than cash handouts.
YPP spokesman Martins Egbeola said his party would rely on digital platforms and grassroots contact, insisting the election should be decided by candidate quality and not budget size.
Obidient Movement Cites Intimidation of Donors
Obidient Movement Worldwide Media Director Onyeka Dike said the alleged sealing of a Delta State businessman's premises, after he organised a march backing the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso alliance, had sent a warning to would-be donors. "This is the kind of incident that sends a chilling message to other Nigerians who may wish to support the opposition," he said, adding that many sympathetic businessmen were now afraid to contribute openly.
The APC denied all allegations, with National Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim challenging opposition parties to produce evidence of any public funds being diverted to the party. "Unless and until there is such a proof, the opposition parties have no point," Ibrahim said, attributing the APC's stronger finances to broader public support and a larger donor base.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that ChatGPT predicted that the APC would likely win Nigeria's 2027 presidential election, using the Four Horsemen framework. It cited the opposition coalition but said the APC had the edge due to possible low voter turnout and the Tinubu administration's efforts to stabilise the economy.
