2027: Police, INEC Warns Against Early Campaigns -

As the 2027 general election draws closer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have warned political parties against engaging in premature campaigns in violation of electoral laws.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, expressed concern that some parties had already begun subtle campaigns, despite the law permitting such activities only 150 days before the polls.

The development has sparked heated reactions. Former INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, urged strict measures to halt the trend, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being the chief violator. The APC, however, defended INEC’s stance.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also vowed to enforce the law, warning that offenders would face sanctions.

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Yakubu described the growing cases of early campaigning as a “clear breach” of electoral provisions and a threat to Nigeria’s 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.

INEC Chairman Decries Campaign Trend

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.