The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that while Nigerians expected it as registrar and regulator of political parties to act in the face of the brazen breach of the law on early campaigns by politicians and their foot soldiers, the commission was being constrained by law to act against violators accordingly.
The chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at a stakeholders roundtable convened to examine ‘The Challenges of Premature Political Campaigns’ in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said while Sections 94(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 imposes sanctions, albeit mild (a maximum amount of N500,000 on conviction), on any political party or a person acting on its behalf who engaged in campaigns 24 hours before polling day, there is no sanction whatsoever concerning breaches for campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election.
LEADERSHIP reports that politicians and their supporters have ignored earlier warnings from INEC and continued to engage in subtle campaigns for the 2027 general election, which is more than 150 days ahead.
For instance, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had adopted President Bola Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate after endorsements from the party’s highest decision-making organ, the National Executive Committee (NEC), zonal and state caucuses.
Also, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, had confirmed he will contest the 2027 presidential election with a promise to serve a single four-year term if elected.
Similarly, a former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has declared intention for the presidency with the confidence to defeat President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he secure the ticket of the ADC.
INEC chairman Yakubu said Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the commencement of campaign earlier than 150 days (i.e. 5 months) before polling day and must end 24 hours prior to that day.
He said the idea is to prioritise governance over electioneering from one electoral cycle to another,
however, political parties, candidates and their supporters seemed to be perpetually in election mood even when the electoral body was yet to release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections or ahead of the timeframe provided by law.
“Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns and even rallies promoting various political parties and candidates. 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.
