Calling Urgent Attention to Financing Loopholes in Nigeria’s Electoral Laws

Despite the legitimate need for financial resources for political entities, there exists accompanying risks. First, there is an associated risk of elected candidates being influenced by donors of large sums of campaign funds. These donors are mostly concerned with making elected candidates more responsive to their interests, over those of the wider public (issues on “god-fatherism” in the Nigerian political scene). Second, the risk of undue political influence and unlawful practices, induced by large financial contribution by donors with vested interest in the election outcome of an individual or political party. Here, initial contributions of donors to the electioneering process are seen as an investments to be recouped mostly through corrupt practices.