The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed frustration over its inability to sanction politicians and political parties already engaging in premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ roundtable on early political campaigns.
He said the commission is legally handicapped despite the clear provisions of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling.
Yakubu lamented that while Nigerians expect INEC to act against violators, the Electoral Act does not prescribe any penalty for such breaches.
“Quite correctly, Nigerians expect INEC, as registrar and regulator of political parties, to act in the face of the brazen breach of the law on early campaign.
However, the major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” he said.
The INEC boss explained that the only sanction contained in Section 94(2) of the Act is a fine of up to N500,000, but this applies only to campaigns carried out within 24 hours before polling day.
Despite this gap, Yakubu noted that politicians and their supporters have continued to flood the country with campaign billboards, rallies, branded vehicles and media advertisements in open violation of the law.
“These actions undermine the commission’s ability to monitor campaign finance limits and distort the fairness of the electoral process,” he stressed.
Yakubu said the roundtable, which drew lawmakers, political parties, civil society organisations and regulators, was aimed at seeking urgent solutions.
He expressed optimism that the National Assembly, currently reviewing the Electoral Act, would consider actionable recommendations to address the loophole.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of The Electoral Institute, described early campaigns as one of the most dangerous threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him, aspirants now hide under cultural festivals, religious gatherings, social media influencers, and sponsored events to promote their ambitions years before elections.
“When aspirants or parties compete to dominate visibility long before the official campaign period, it distorts fairness and raises the cost of political competition,” Zuru warned.
He further argued that premature campaigns distract elected officials from governance, erode public trust in the electoral process, and encourage cynicism about the rule of law.
Zuru called for a clear definition of what constitutes premature campaigning in the digital age, stressing that electoral reforms must reflect the realities of modern political communication.
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