The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have warned political parties against engaging in premature campaigns, stressing that such actions violate provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and threaten democratic governance.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, lamented that despite clear restrictions limiting campaigns to 150 days before polling day, parties had already begun subtle campaign activities, including rallies, posters, and media promotions.
Speaking at a roundtable on Wednesday in Abuja, Yakubu described the trend as a “disturbing breach” of electoral law. He noted that the absence of penalties for campaigning earlier than the stipulated period makes enforcement difficult, while also undermining the commission’s ability to monitor campaign finance limits.
He disclosed that INEC would collaborate with the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act, granting the commission powers to sanction offenders.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in his remarks, pledged to enforce the law, but questioned whether campaign timing regulations were still effective in today’s fast-paced media landscape.
Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, however, urged stricter penalties, calling for the establishment of an Election Offences Commission and Tribunal to prosecute premature campaign violations. He warned that unchecked early campaigning stokes political tension, distorts the playing field, and undermines democratic stability.
The development has sparked political reactions. The PDP and ADC accused the ruling APC of being the “worst offender,” citing billboards and rallies linked to the party and President Bola Tinubu. The APC dismissed the allegations, insisting it remained committed to the law. The NNPP urged caution, warning that there is a thin line between party promotion and actual campaigning.
Meanwhile, the Presidency reiterated its earlier stance disowning 2027 campaign billboards for Tinubu and Shettima, warning supporters against unlawful promotion.
The Labour Party also expressed mixed views. While its National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, backed INEC’s move to enforce sanctions, former campaign spokesman Dr. Yunusa Tanko doubted the commission’s ability to act impartially, describing its threats as “an exercise in futility.”
As Nigeria’s 2027 elections draw closer, analysts warn that the rising wave of early campaigns may shift attention away from governance, heighten political divisions, and erode confidence in the electoral process unless urgent reforms are implemented.
