Election Financing: A Major Concern in Nigeria’s Democracy
Parties Spend N13.4 Billion on 2024 Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections
A new report by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has revealed that political parties in Nigeria spent a staggering N13.4 billion on the 2024 Edo and Ondo governorship elections. The report, which was presented to stakeholders in Abuja, revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP) accounted for nearly all expenditures.
Expenditures Exceed Legal Cap
According to the report, the total spending in Edo State was estimated at N9.7 billion, with APC’s candidate, Monday Okpebholo, spending N3.8 billion, PDP’s Ighodalo Asueirhinme expending N3.55 billion, and LP’s Akpata Olumide Anthony spending N2.32 billion. In Ondo State, APC’s governorship candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, spent N2.65 billion, PDP’s Ajayi Alfred Agboola used N1.02 billion, while LP spent a relatively meager N7.6 million, bringing total spending in the state to N3.7 billion.
Financial Disclosures Reveal Lower Income
However, party financial disclosures revealed much lower declared income, with APC reporting N800 million, PDP disclosing N650 million, and LP stating N1.03 billion. This suggests that the parties may have spent more than they declared, which is a violation of the Electoral Act 2022.
Election-Day Expenditures Exceed Pre-Election Campaign Costs
The report also revealed a sharp rise in election-day spending, which exceeded pre-election campaign costs. In Edo State, APC’s candidate spent N2.7 billion on election-day mobilization, while in Ondo, the APC allocated N2.05 billion for last-minute voter inducements.
Vote Buying and Untraceable Transactions
The report also highlighted concerns over vote buying, with estimates showing that the parties spent over N1.1 billion on direct voter inducements in Edo, while APC alone spent nearly N800 million in Ondo. The report noted that these expenditures violate Section 88(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, as parties bypass regulations through third-party spending and untraceable transactions.
Conclusion
The report’s findings raise concerns over the undue influence of money in elections, which can undermine democracy and governance. It is essential to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in campaign financing. The report’s conclusions are a wake-up call for political parties and stakeholders to revisit their campaign financing strategies and ensure that they align with the principles of democracy and good governance.
FAQs
Q: What is the total expenditure on the 2024 Edo and Ondo governorship elections?
A: N13.4 billion
Q: Which parties accounted for the majority of expenditures?
A: APC, PDP, and LP
Q: How much did APC’s candidate in Edo State spend on election-day mobilization?
A: N2.7 billion
Q: How much did the Labour Party spend in Ondo State?
A: N7.6 million
Q: What is the legal cap on campaign spending per candidate?
A: One billion naira
