Early political campaigns threaten democracy — INEC chairman

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has raised concerns over the growing trend of premature political campaigns across the country, describing it as a direct violation of Nigeria’s electoral laws and a threat to democratic governance.

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.

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However, he lamented that political actors often disregard 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 amounts of money that cannot be effectively monitored before the official commencement of campaigns,” he said.

He noted that while Nigerians expect INEC, as the regulator of political parties, to act, the Commission’s powers are 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 the 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.”

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.

The INEC chairman’s remarks came amid rising political activity nationwide, despite the 2027 general election still being more than a year away. Across the country, politicians have been hosting large gatherings, commissioning constituency projects, and holding “empowerment” events—many of which observers say are disguised campaign efforts.

Nigeria operates on a four-year electoral cycle, during which elected officials serve for a renewable term of four years. As general elections are constitutionally mandated to be held every four years, political activities tend to intensify well in advance. In recent election cycles, the build-up has started earlier with each cycle, often turning governance into secondary business as politicians begin to focus more on elections than service delivery.

Historically, early campaigns have also led to increased political tension and division. During the build-up to the 2023 general elections, similar concerns were raised as political rhetoric dominated the national conversation months before INEC officially flagged off campaign activities. Many of those early activities went unchecked due to a lack of punitive measures within the legal framework.