2027: INEC, Police Warn Parties Against Early Campaigns

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu

With political activities already intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have cautioned political parties against violating electoral timelines by engaging in early campaigns.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed concern that several parties and their supporters had begun subtle campaigning despite legal provisions restricting such activities to 150 days before the polls.

Speaking at a roundtable on the challenge of early political campaigns held at the Electoral Institute in Abuja on Wednesday, Yakubu described the trend as a breach of electoral law and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.

Citing Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling day, Yakubu lamented that politicians were already mounting billboards, organising rallies, and sponsoring media advertisements ahead of schedule.

“Political parties, candidates and their supporters seem to be perpetually in election mode, even when INEC is yet to release the timetable,” he said.

Yakubu warned that premature campaigns undermine INEC’s ability to track and regulate campaign financing. “These activities compromise the commission’s capacity to monitor expenditure limits, as huge sums are spent outside the official campaign window,” he added.

While acknowledging that Nigerians expect INEC to act, Yakubu noted that legal gaps restrict the commission’s enforcement powers. He explained that whereas Section 94(2) of the Act prescribes a fine of N500,000 for campaigns within 24 hours of election day, there is no penalty for campaigns conducted earlier than 150 days before an election.

“This gap in the law makes it difficult for the commission to act decisively against early campaigns,” Yakubu stated.

He revealed that INEC was working with the National Assembly to strengthen the Electoral Act to empower the commission with firmer sanctioning authority. Lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters have been invited to consider expert recommendations, he said.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also pledged to enforce the law against violators, warning political actors against heating up the polity unnecessarily.

Meanwhile, reactions have trailed the warning. Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, urged strict measures to check the trend, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being the biggest culprit. The APC, however, aligned itself with INEC’s position, insisting that all parties must respect electoral timelines.

Observers say the rising tempo of political activity, with the 2027 elections still more than a year away, has left Nigerians divided between those who see it as a healthy democratic engagement and others who fear it could destabilise the polity.