As the race towards the 2027 general election gathers momentum, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force have warned political parties against embarking on early campaigns in violation of the electoral law.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, lamented that parties had already kicked off subtle campaigns despite clear provisions that restricted such activities to 150 days before the polls.
The development has drawn sharp reactions across the political space. While former INEC boss Attahiru Jega called for firm measures to curb the trend, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and African Democratic Congress accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of being the worst offender. The APC, however, defended the commission’s position, even as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, vowed to enforce the law against violators.
INEC boss, Professor Yakubu, on Wednesday decried the increasing cases of early political campaigns across the country, labeling them a clear breach of Nigeria’s electoral laws and a threat to democratic governance.
He pledged to collaborate with the National Assembly and political stakeholders to amend the Electoral Act, granting INEC the power to sanction defaulters.
Speaking at a one-day roundtable on the challenges of early political campaigns, held at the Electoral Institute in Abuja on Wednesday, Yakubu highlighted what he described as a “disturbing trend” of political campaigning ahead of scheduled timelines, especially in relation to upcoming off-cycle governorship elections, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, and the 2027 general election.
He referenced Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which clearly prohibits the commencement of campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling day, and requires all campaign activities to end 24 hours before voting begins.
However, he lamented that political actors often disregarded this provision. “Political parties, candidates and their supporters seem to be perpetually in election mood even when the Electoral commission is yet to release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections.
“Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns and even rallies promoting various political parties and candidates,” the INEC Chairman noted.
Yakubu warned that these premature activities severely compromise the commission’s ability to enforce campaign finance limits.
“These actions and activities undermine the commission’s ability to track campaign finance limits as politicians, prospective candidates and third-party agents expend large amount of money that cannot be effectively monitored before the official commencement of campaigns,” he said.
He noted that while Nigerians expected INEC, as the regulator of political parties, to act, the commission’s powers were constrained by gaps in the legal framework. “The major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” he noted.
Although Section 94(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 imposes a maximum fine of N500,000 for campaigning within 24 hours of an election, Professor Yakubu pointed out that “there is no sanction whatsoever concerning breaches for campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election.
“Here lies the challenge for the commission in dealing with early campaign.”
