INEC WARNS AGAINST EARLY CAMPAIGNS, URGES LEGAL REFORMS AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS
Read Time:2 Minute, 0 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concern over the rising trend of premature political campaigns in Nigeria, warning that the practice undermines governance, distorts fair competition, and erodes public trust in the electoral process.
Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ roundtable on Wednesday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, described the situation as a “perpetual election mode” where political parties, candidates, and their supporters engage in rallies, advertising, and media promotions long before the official timetable is released.
Citing Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which allows campaigns only within 150 days to polling day and requires them to stop 24 hours before voting, Prof. Yakubu noted that the law remains silent on campaigns conducted earlier than the 150-day threshold. He lamented that this legal gap has made enforcement difficult, despite the huge consequences for electoral integrity.
“The sanctions are mild and limited to campaigns within 24 hours to election day,” he said. “This lacuna makes it difficult for the Commission to punish offenders, even though premature campaigns disrupt governance, give unfair advantage to violators, and weaken respect for the law.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the Board of The Electoral Institute, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, described early campaigns as a “creeping danger” that distorts the political environment. He highlighted how cultural festivals, religious gatherings, philanthropy, billboards, and social media are increasingly used as veiled platforms for campaigns.
Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in his keynote address, warned that premature campaigns entrench impunity and confer undue advantage, particularly for incumbents. He urged lawmakers to clearly define premature campaign offences in the law, attach stiffer penalties, and establish an Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal before the 2027 elections.
He also recommended that candidates and parties be held liable for third-party campaigns, and that anti-graft agencies like the EFCC and ICPC be empowered to investigate the financing of premature activities.
Stakeholders including the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, the Inspector General of Police (represented by CP Abayomi Sogunle), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) pledged support for reforms, stressing civic education, stricter monitoring, and stronger enforcement.
Panelists agreed that urgent action was needed to prevent premature campaigns from heating up the polity, escalating election costs, and fueling ethno-religious tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0