As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sounded the alarm over premature campaigns, describing the practice as a violation of the country’s electoral framework and a direct threat to democratic stability.
Speaking at a roundtable in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, decried the increasing cases of political campaigns already taking shape nationwide. He said: “Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns and rallies promoting political parties and candidates. These are clear breaches of the law.”
Under Section 94 of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns are restricted to 150 days before polling day and must end 24 hours before voting. Yet, Yakubu admitted that the Commission lacks adequate legal tools to punish offenders. “The major challenge for the Commission is the law itself,” he stated, while calling for amendments to strengthen INEC’s sanctioning powers.
Former INEC boss, Professor Attahiru Jega, was more critical, urging Nigeria to impose tougher penalties on parties and politicians. “Premature campaigns are undesirable aberrations in democratic elections, posing serious challenges to the integrity of elections,” Jega warned. He also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate illicit funding fueling early political promotions.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, assured that the police would enforce electoral laws, but questioned whether the old rules were still practical in today’s fast-paced media age. “We need to ask ourselves again, what are the relevance of these laws to issues of security and development?” he posed.
The controversy has already sparked heated political exchanges. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being the chief culprit, citing widespread billboards promoting President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party. “Since last year, the APC has been campaigning for 2027,” PDP’s Timothy Osadolor declared.
But APC’s Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, rejected the allegations: “There is nothing our party has done that is against the provision of the law. We cannot be a responsible party and at the same time be engaged in acts that are against the directives of INEC.”
The Presidency also reiterated that it had not authorised any campaign for 2027, urging loyalists to desist from placing campaign materials across cities.
Analysts warn that early campaigns not only disrupt governance but also deepen political tensions. The push by INEC and the police to tighten control may determine whether Nigeria enters the 2027 elections with fairer rules and a level playing field.
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