2027: Police, INEC move against early campaigns

As the race towards the 2027 general election gathers momentum, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force have warned political parties against embarking on early campaigns in violation of the electoral law.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, lamented that parties had already kicked off subtle campaigns despite clear provisions that restricted such activities to 150 days before the polls.

The development has drawn sharp reactions across the political space. While former INEC boss Attahiru Jega called for firm measures to curb the trend, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and African Democratic Congress accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of being the worst offender. The APC, however, defended the commission’s position, even as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, vowed to enforce the law against violators.

INEC boss, Professor Yakubu, on Wednesday decried the increasing cases of early political campaigns across the country, labeling them a clear breach of Nigeria’s electoral laws and a threat to 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.

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.

Although Section 94(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 imposes a maximum fine of N500,000 for campaigning within 24 hours of an election, Professor Yakubu pointed out that “there is no sanction whatsoever concerning breaches for campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election.

“Here lies the challenge for the commission in dealing with early campaign.”

He acknowledged that early campaigning is not a new issue, but said the failure of regulatory bodies to address it within existing legal constraints necessitated deeper reflection.

“The seeming inability of the commission and other regulatory agencies to deal with the menace within the ambit of the existing electoral legal framework calls for deep reflection,” Yakubu said.

“With the National Assembly currently reviewing our electoral laws,” Yakubu said, “the commission has also invited the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters.

“I am confident that they will give due consideration to actionable recommendations by experts,” the INEC chairman added.

He also acknowledged the participation of regulatory agencies, including the National Broadcasting Commission, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, expressing optimism that the discussions would yield practical solutions.

INEC’s warning comes as political actors are already being accused of heating up the polity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The rising political activities across the country has raised mixed feelings among many Nigerians. This is as the 2027 general election is still more than a year away.

Subtle campaigns have begun, especially in party centres in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Lagos, with politicians hosting large gatherings and displaying posters, while the media and social platforms are saturated with campaign messages.

Nigeria’s four-year electoral cycle is increasingly marked by early campaign build-ups, often shifting attention away from governance as politicians focus more on electioneering than service delivery. This trend has become more pronounced with each cycle, raising concerns about its impact on leadership and accountability.

Historically, premature campaigns have heightened political tension and division. Ahead of the 2023 elections, similar worries emerged as political rhetoric dominated national discourse months before INEC officially commenced campaign activities, with many of those actions going unchecked due to weak legal sanctions.

Police wades in

In a related development, in Abuja on Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, addressed the growing tension surrounding early political mobilisation and social media-driven advocacy, insisting that the police would enforce laws guiding compliance.

Egbetokun questioned whether traditional regulations on campaign timing were still effective or necessary in today’s rapidly evolving media environment.

“I think there is one very important question that we need to ask, do we really need to continue to regulate campaigns in 2025?” he asked during the forum.

He further elaborated on the responsibility of the police force in upholding laws passed by the legislature, regardless of the context in which they are applied.

“Based on the fact that there is a need to bridge the gaps between our leaders and the communities and the citizens, that’s one. Then two, every law that is made, as a law enforcement agency, we have a duty to enforce these laws,” Egbetokun said.

The IGP encouraged stakeholders at the roundtable to reflect on the broader implications of these laws on national development and security.

“And then we need to ask ourselves again, what are the relevance of these laws to issues of security and development? That is the question I want to throw to speakers and participants for us to seriously look deep into.”

Despite the challenges, Egbetokun assured that the Nigeria Police would continue to perform its constitutional role in maintaining law and order during the electioneering period.

“Having said that, the Nigeria Police Force will continue to enforce every law that has been duly passed by the Senate, House of Assembly, House of Representatives as well,” he stated.

“And we will continue to do everything needed to be done to ensure that campaigns go on peacefully at any time, at anywhere it is taking place, and we also ensure to provide adequate security for every election at any location and irrespective of the time.”

Ex-INEC boss reacts

In his remarks, former INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, urged Nigerian authorities to implement stricter penalties and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to tackle the growing trend of premature election campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at an INEC Roundtable on “The Challenges of Premature Campaigns” held in Abuja on Wednesday, Jega highlighted the urgent need for reform within the electoral legal framework.

He called for clearer definitions of campaign-related offences and the imposition of firm punitive measures to deter violations.

Jega expressed concern over the increasing involvement of third-party groups often acting on behalf of political candidates and parties in campaign activities that breach the legal timeline.

According to Jega, these groups often engage in unauthorised political advertising, campaign billboards, and media promotions well before the legal campaign window opens.

He stated, “All candidates and their parties, and especially incumbent office holders and their political parties, should be vicariously held responsible and penalised for premature campaigns for them by third-parties.