ASSESSING THE EXTENT AND APPLICATION OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS TO ASPIRANTS, CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES

Abstract

A brewing debate that has been going on in current national discourse regards who the subjects of campaign finance laws are between political parties, candidates and aspirants of elections throws up the question regarding the status of an aspirant or candidate , and whether any difference exists in fact between the two. this article differentiates between an aspirant and a candidate of an election by analysing the relevant provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and relevant case law on the subject. the paper acknowledges that political resources drive party vibrancy and competitiveness and as such the existence of a level playing ground in terms of public financing of political parties is crucial because beyond the obvious facts that it ensues credibility, it emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in tune with a legal framework that monitors the abuse of funds in the electoral process. Consequently the paper finds that campaign finance laws are not in tune with contemporary realities and recommends essential amendments to the Electoral Act.