2027: INEC Faults Political Parties, Candidates for Premature Campaigns

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has criticised political parties and candidates for engaging in what it described as “premature” campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, speaking at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Premature Political Campaigns organised by The Electoral Institute (TEI) in Abuja, said the trend exposes a major gap in Nigeria’s electoral framework.

Quoting Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which stipulates that campaigns should begin only 150 days before an election, Yakubu pointed out that the law does not provide sanctions for early campaigns.
“There is no sanction whatsoever concerning campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election. Here lies the challenge for the Commission,” he said.

Yakubu warned that such premature activities undermine INEC’s ability to track campaign finance, as huge sums are often expended by politicians, aspirants, and third-party groups without proper oversight.

Former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, in his keynote address, also described premature campaigns as a “serious threat” to Nigeria’s democracy and electoral integrity.
“Premature election campaigns are actually being perpetrated by premature democrats,” Jega said. He urged that political parties, candidates, and especially incumbent office holders should be held vicariously responsible and penalised for campaigns carried out by third parties on their behalf.

The roundtable also featured input from the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, the Inspector General of Police, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

Meanwhile, INEC has formally recognised the new leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), now led by former Senate President David Mark. The update, published on the Commission’s website, follows the party’s restructuring process which produced new national officers as it prepares for the 2027 elections.