WITH political activities already intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have jointly warned political parties and their supporters against embarking on early campaigns in clear violation of the Electoral Act.
News Point Nigeria reports that INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, speaking at a high-level roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday, lamented what he described as a “disturbing trend” of premature political campaigns, noting that the law explicitly restricts such activities to 150 days before polling day.
Yakubu pointed to Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which states that campaigns must not commence earlier than 150 days before an election and must cease 24 hours before voting begins. However, he expressed concern that many political actors were already disregarding this provision.
“Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns, and even rallies promoting political parties and candidates,” Yakubu said. “These activities compromise our ability to monitor campaign finance and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.”
The INEC boss warned that without stiffer penalties, parties would continue to flout the rules with impunity. He stressed the need for legal reforms that would empower the commission to impose sanctions on violators.
Echoing INEC’s concerns, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, said the force would enforce all laws relating to electoral campaigns, irrespective of challenges posed by modern political dynamics and social media.
“Every law duly passed by the National Assembly will be enforced by the police,” Egbetokun declared. “We will do everything necessary to ensure campaigns go on peacefully and in line with the law.”
While questioning whether traditional campaign regulations remained adequate in today’s political climate, the IGP maintained that law enforcement agencies had no choice but to uphold the provisions until reforms were made.
Former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, also lent his voice to the debate, urging the government to introduce stiffer penalties for premature campaigning.
According to him, many parties and candidates often use third-party groups to mount early billboards, media adverts, and rallies, thereby breaching campaign timelines with little consequence.
“All election campaign offences, especially premature campaign offences, should be carefully defined, stiff penalties specified, and strictly applied,” Jega said. He further called for the establishment of a dedicated Election Offences Commission and Tribunal to prosecute such violations.
Jega also pressed the EFCC and ICPC to investigate the financing behind early campaigners, warning that illicit funds were often used to fuel premature political mobilisation.
Meanwhile, the Presidency reiterated its disapproval of premature campaigns, distancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from billboards and adverts promoting their 2027 re-election bid.
In a statement signed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described such campaigns as illegal and cautioned supporters to desist.
“While President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima appreciate the enthusiasm of loyal supporters, they do not endorse any action that breaches electoral laws,” the statement read.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), all expressed support for INEC’s proposal to strengthen sanctions against premature campaigns.
Stakeholders across the political spectrum warned that Nigeria’s democracy risked being undermined if early campaigns continued unchecked, distracting leaders from governance and heating up the polity unnecessarily.
With the 2027 elections still more than a year away, analysts caution that without urgent reforms, Nigeria’s four-year cycle will continue to be consumed by endless politicking rather than governance.