INEC has warned politicians against early campaigning ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The Commission says no timetable is out, making current posters and endorsements illegal.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to political parties and aspirants engaging in premature campaigning ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that such actions violate Nigeria’s electoral laws.
This comes as posters, billboards, and public endorsements for potential candidates have begun surfacing across various states, sparking concerns about early politicking.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, clarified that the Commission has not yet released an official timetable or schedule for the 2027 elections, and therefore, no party primaries or official nominations have taken place.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission has not released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections. To that extent, party primaries have not been held, and no political party has nominated candidates for the next general election,” Oyekanmi stated.
He further cited Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which allows campaigns only within 150 days before the election and requires campaign activities to cease 24 hours before the polls. He also referenced Section 95(1), which mandates strict adherence to INEC’s regulations during campaign periods.
While acknowledging citizens’ right to discuss political issues, Oyekanmi emphasized that any form of public canvassing or campaign at this stage is not only premature but also constitutes a breach of the law.
He noted that INEC had already addressed the issue during its last quarterly meeting with political party representatives and expects total compliance going forward.
