INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday lamented the increasing wave of subtle campaigns across the country, describing it as a “disturbing trend” that undermines Nigeria’s democratic framework. Speaking at a roundtable on premature campaigns in Abuja, Yakubu warned that political actors were already flooding streets, media outlets and social platforms with campaign materials despite clear legal provisions.
According to him, premature campaigns compromise the commission’s ability to track campaign spending and weaken accountability. “These actions undermine our ability to enforce campaign finance limits,” he said, noting that loopholes in the law provide no sanctions for breaches that occur ahead of the official campaign window.
The INEC boss pledged to work with the National Assembly and regulatory agencies to close these gaps, stressing that “deep reflection and decisive reform” were necessary to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
Police Join the Fray
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, echoed the concern, questioning whether Nigeria still needed strict regulations on campaign timing in an era of rapidly evolving media. While promising to enforce existing laws, he challenged stakeholders to interrogate the broader implications of premature campaigns on national security and development.
“The Police Force will continue to uphold every law duly passed by the National Assembly,” Egbetokun said, pledging adequate security during electioneering.
Ex-INEC Chair Calls for Stiffer Penalties
Former INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, called for stricter sanctions, including holding political parties and candidates accountable for premature campaigns launched by their surrogates. He pressed for the long-proposed Election Offences Commission and Tribunal, insisting that “unchecked early campaigning distorts the political playing field, entrenches impunity and threatens democratic stability.”
Jega also urged anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC to investigate suspicious third-party campaign groups, warning that illicit funding often fuels their activities.
Political Parties Trade Blame
The debate has sparked heated exchanges
among Nigeria’s leading parties. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu of being the chief offenders, pointing to widespread billboards and rallies.PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, charged: “President Tinubu and the APC are guilty. They have flooded the country with billboards. Nigerians will not be deceived.”
Similarly, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed that “only the ruling party is guilty of violating INEC’s rules,” demanding sanctions and the removal of APC billboards.
The APC, however, denied any wrongdoing. Its publicity director, Bala Ibrahim, insisted that neither the President nor the party had violated the law. “We cannot be a responsible party and at the same time act against the directives of INEC,” he said.
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) urged caution, warning that there is a thin line between party promotion and actual electioneering. The Labour Party was split on the issue: while its legal adviser endorsed INEC’s move, its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, dismissed the commission’s capacity to enforce sanctions, accusing it of bias.
Presidency Disowns 2027 Campaign Billboards
In April, the Presidency had already distanced itself from billboards promoting President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, urging their supporters to desist. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stressed that “the law forbids campaigns for the 2027 elections until INEC sets the timetable.”
The Bigger Picture
Nigeria’s political culture has increasingly been dominated by premature campaigning, often at the expense of governance. Analysts warn that this cycle of early politicking raises political tension, fuels divisions, and distracts leaders from service delivery.
With the 2027 polls still over a year away, the clamour for electoral reform has grown louder. For many, the challenge now lies not only in enforcing the law but in ensuring that those entrusted with power are held accountable to the spirit and letter of Nigeria’s democracy.
