Almost two years to the next presidential election in Nigeria, there is heightened political activity across the country.
This is as individuals and political parties are seen already campaigning in violation of the Electoral Act which explicitly stated that campaigns of any kind are not allowed until 150 days before the election.
Many Nigerians are worried that political leaders have abandoned governance and channeled all their energies to campaigns ahead of the 2027 election.
To make matters worse, the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, charged with the constitutional responsibility to regulate the activities of political parties in this regard is not doing anything.
The same thing applies to the police, whose constitutional mandate includes to arrest and prosecute those who break the laws of the land- the police are also looking away from the impunity.
The INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had last week, raised the alarm that political parties have already kicked off subtle campaigns despite clear provisions that restricted such activities to 150 days before the election.
Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ roundtable on the challenges of early political campaigns, at the Electoral Institute in Abuja, Yakubu had 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 elections.
He cited Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which clearly prohibits the commencement of campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling day, and which also requires all campaign activities to end 24 hours before voting begins.
However, he lamented that political actors often disregarded 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,” he said.
He, however, warned that these premature activities severely compromise the commission’s ability to enforce campaign finance limits, saying, “These actions and activities undermine the commission’s ability to track campaign finance limits as politicians, prospective candidates and third-party agents expend large amount of money that cannot be effectively monitored before the official commencement of campaigns.”
The development has drawn sharp reactions across the political space. What worries many Nigerians, particularly close political observers of political developments in Nigeria in the last two years, is the INEC chairman’s confession that the electoral umpire cannot do anything about the ugly trend.
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.
“This is where the Commission faces the challenge of dealing with early campaign,” he stated
He acknowledged that early campaigning is not a new issue, but stated that the failure of regulatory bodies to address it within existing legal constraints necessitated deeper reflection.
However, there is a belief in certain quarters that INEC, as well as the Police are not doing anything about the disturbing trend because the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is deeply involved.
Several individuals and organisations, including the main opposition political parties, have all raised concerns about the ugly trend, warning that unless urgent and drastic measures were taken to arrest the development, the 2027 election can as well be considered compromised already.
While calling for firm measures to curb the trend, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, accused the ruling APC of being the worst offender.