INEC, Security operatives worry over early campaigns, reveals next step

News Update

As the race towards the 2027 general election gathers momentum, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force have warned political parties against embarking on early campaigns in violation of the electoral law.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, lamented that parties had already kicked off subtle campaigns despite clear provisions that restricted such activities to 150 days before the polls.

The development has drawn sharp reactions across the political space. While former INEC boss Attahiru Jega called for firm measures to curb the trend, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and African Democratic Congress accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of being the worst offender. The APC, however, defended the commission’s position, even as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, vowed to enforce the law against violators.

INEC boss, Professor Yakubu, on Wednesday decried the increasing cases of early political campaigns across the country, labeling them a clear breach of Nigeria’s electoral laws and a threat to democratic governance.

Police wades in

In a related development, in Abuja on Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, addressed the growing tension surrounding early political mobilisation and social media-driven advocacy, insisting that the police would enforce laws guiding compliance.

Egbetokun questioned whether traditional regulations on campaign timing were still effective or necessary in today’s rapidly evolving media environment.

“I think there is one very important question that we need to ask, do we really need to continue to regulate campaigns in 2025?” he asked during the forum.

He further elaborated on the responsibility of the police force in upholding laws passed by the legislature, regardless of the context in which they are applied.

“Based on the fact that there is a need to bridge the gaps between our leaders and the communities and the citizens, that’s one. Then two, every law that is made, as a law enforcement agency, we have a duty to enforce these laws,” Egbetokun said.

The IGP encouraged stakeholders at the roundtable to reflect on the broader implications of these laws on national development and security.

“And then we need to ask ourselves again, what are the relevance of these laws to issues of security and development? That is the question I want to throw to speakers and participants for us to seriously look deep into.”

Despite the challenges, Egbetokun assured that the Nigeria Police would continue to perform its constitutional role in maintaining law and order during the electioneering period.

“Having said that, the Nigeria Police Force will continue to enforce every law that has been duly passed by the Senate, House of Assembly, House of Representatives as well,” he stated.

“And we will continue to do everything needed to be done to ensure that campaigns go on peacefully at any time, at anywhere it is taking place, and we also ensure to provide adequate security for every election at any location and irrespective of the time.”