LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF POLITICAL PARTY FUNDING AND CAMPAIGN FINANCING IN NIGERIA
Article
Political campaign finance refers to funds used to promote the interest of political parties and candidates. The Nigerian political campaign history from 1999 until date has revealed that such campaign funds oftentimes do not only exceed the limit set by the electoral legal framework and regulations but also their sources and how they are utilized are not fully disclosed. This is why political campaign financing appears to be an intractable issue. Against this background, this paper examines the legal framework governing campaign financing in Nigeria. In particular, the paper examines the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as altered), the Electoral Act 2010, and the Electoral Act (2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 vis-à-vis campaign financing. Using the doctrinal/analytical methodology, the paper argues for periodic review of existing legislation(s) on campaign financing and the setting up of a commission to oversee and enforce political campaign financing laws in Nigeria. The perception is that the proposed commission will deepen electoral integrity and consolidate democracy in Nigeria