Yakubu: INEC Powerless to Punish Politicians for Early Campaigns

Yakubu: INEC Powerless to Punish Politicians for Early Campaigns

By Abiola Adigun

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it lacks the legal authority to sanction politicians and political parties engaging in campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja on premature political campaigns. He explained that although Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling, the law does not provide any penalty for offenders.
“Quite correctly, Nigerians expect INEC, as registrar and regulator of political parties, to act in the face of the brazen breach of the law on early campaign. However, the major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” Yakubu said.
He added that the only sanction in the law is contained in Section 94(2), which prescribes a fine of up to N500,000 for campaigns within 24 hours of polling day. As a result, politicians and their supporters have continued to hold rallies, unveil billboards, and run media campaigns in violation of the legal framework.
“Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns and even rallies promoting various political parties and candidates. These actions undermine the commission’s ability to track campaign finance limits,” he noted.
Yakubu said the roundtable was convened to seek solutions and invited lawmakers, political party leaders, civil society organisations, and regulators to the forum. He expressed confidence that the ongoing review of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly would provide an opportunity to address the gaps.
Abdullahi Zuru, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Institute, described early campaigns as one of the most worrying challenges of Nigeria’s democracy. According to him, aspirants often exploit cultural festivals, religious gatherings, branded vehicles, billboards, and even social media influencers to run covert campaigns.
“When aspirants or parties compete to dominate visibility long before the official campaign period, it distorts fairness and raises the cost of political competition,” Zuru said.
He warned that the trend distracts elected officials from governance, erodes public trust in the electoral process, and deepens cynicism about the rule of law. Zuru further urged lawmakers to refine the legal framework so that what constitutes premature campaigning is clearly defined in today’s digital environment.