INEC Faces Scrutiny Over Campaign Finance Monitoring

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is under scrutiny regarding its capacity to monitor campaign finance effectively ahead of the 2027 general elections. Under the Electoral Act, 2026, presidential candidates are permitted to spend up to N10 billion on their campaigns.

Concerns have arisen about the transparency of political donations and the enforcement of campaign expenditure regulations. Wilfred Ifugah, INEC's deputy director of Voter Education and Publicity, stated that the commission has mechanisms to track candidates who exceed spending limits, including monitoring advertisements and billboards.

However, the advocacy group Women For Good Governance has questioned INEC's preparedness to enforce these regulations, emphasizing the need for transparent monitoring and verifiable financial disclosures. They argue that without effective enforcement, wealthy candidates could exceed legal limits, undermining political competition and equal opportunities for democratic participation.

The group has called for INEC to clarify its monitoring methods and ensure public access to relevant political finance information.