President Jonathan criticized for advocating unregulated election expenses

President Goodluck Jonathan is being criticized by election observers and anti-corruption activists for suggesting to ease the regulations on election expenses ahead of the 2015 elections.

On Monday, the President received the report of the National Stakeholders' Forum on Electoral Reform headed by former Senate President Ken Nnamani. The group recommended to curtail election spendings of politicians and urged political parties to respect the law.

The President, however, described the existing limits as "not realistic" and said they should be either completely removed or set higher. The restrictions, he added, could become a "booby trap" for political aspirants.

As a realist and a practical person, the President said, he understands that in Nigeria, an election campaign is a very expensive venture, with its logistics and mobilisation aspects. He noted that it is very difficult to monitor campaign expenses, let alone restrict politicians to spending within a budget. He also mentioned that in other countries, candidates generating their own funds are not subject to restrictions.

More

The letter of the law

As prescribed by the amended Electoral Act, 2010,

• maximum election expenses to be incurred by a presidential candidate should not exceed N1 billion; by a governorship candidate N200 million; by candidates to the Senate or the House of Representatives N40 million and N20 million respectively;
• no individual donation should exceed N1 million;
• if the limits are exceeded by a presidential candidate, he faces a 12-month imprisonment, or N 1billion in fines, or both; governorship candidate faces a penalty of N800 million or nine months in jail, or both.

It is worth noting that some political analysts, much like President Jonathan, express their doubts in practicality of existing financial guidelines and justify violations of the limits at different elections.

Criticism of Jonathan's remarks

President Jonathan's comments have, however, provoked criticisms of election and anti-corruption activists.

James Ugochukwu of the Nigeria Civil Society Election Situation Room said checking election financing is one of the means to fight corruption. He noted that going into public offices has become a business, and those who spends too much on election will recoup their investments.

Head of the anti-corruption group The Coalition against Corrupt Leaders, Debo Adeniran say the President is reluctant to take firm action against corruption because he lacks political will. He also suggested the electoral extravagance has soared due to the prevalent mindset of the political elite who are monetizing elections.

Eze Onyekpere, the Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice, an NGO monitoring polls and cooperating with the INEC, said the benchmarks were never adhered to neither in 2007 and 2011 election, nor in state election.