2027: KDI Faults Donation Of N100 Million By Kogi Youth APC Group For Tinubu’s Nomination Form 

By Samuel Sunday 

The Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, has officially faulted the donation of a sum of N100 million for the 2027 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nomination form, describing the action as a very serious troubling legal signal for the next presidential election in the Country. 

Adding, KDI expressed concern over the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to regulate the spending of political parties despite 

the availability of section 87(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which empowers it to regulate political contributions, and Section 88(8) which places a clear ceiling of N50 million on donations by individuals or entities in relation to a candidate in any election.

The Executive Director of the Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, Mr Bukola Idowu in a press statement signed by him and made available to Treasure Newspaper on Sunday morning, called for caution on the part of political parties in the Country concerning political spending ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

The KDI Executive Director, Bukola Idowu reportedly described the public celebration of the financial commitment by the Kogi State APC Youth Group at a political rally held in the State in the presence of senior public officials as unethical, that raises democratic questions that require urgent clarification by relevant regulatory and law enforcement institutions.

Emphasizing, he reminded politicians and political party administrators that political support and civic engagement are legitimate elements of democratic participation, and pointing out that campaign and political financing are not without limits in the Country. 

He urged politicians and political party administrators to adhere to laws guiding and preventing undue influence, monetisation of politics, and the distortion of democratic competitions in the Country. 

The KDI also draw the attention of the political parties to sections 221 and 225 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), which placed political parties under strict obligations of transparency and accountability in their sources of funding.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to put to use sections 89 and 90 of the Electoral Act 2022 on the donation of the said sum of N100 million. 

He also called on both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to as a matter of urgency ascertain the source of the funds and assess compliance with applicable financial and anti – money laundering laws. 

He also stressed the need to review whether the involvement of public officials raises issues of abuse of office or improper political advantage.

Equally, the KDI challenged the Nigeria Police Force to investigate any clear violations of electoral law in accordance with its statutory mandate on the said donation by Kogi APC Youth Group.

The KDI however advised politicians and political parties to respect campaign finance laws as essential part of democracy, and ensure they operate within the boundaries of the law.

The KDI also tasked the regulatory institutions to act decisively when boundaries appears threatened.