By Oluwasore Alabi
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed serious concern over the increasing trend of premature political campaigns across Nigeria. Speaking at a roundtable discussion in Abuja, Yakubu described the situation as a violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and a threat to democratic stability. He highlighted that political parties and candidates are already engaging in campaign activities such as rallies, media promotions, and outdoor advertising long before INEC has released its official election timetable.
This disturbing trend undermines the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. According to Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, campaigns are not allowed to start earlier than 150 days before election day. However, many political actors have continued to ignore this rule, taking advantage of the lack of clear sanctions for early campaigning.
Professor Yakubu pointed out that this early start to political campaigns makes it difficult for the Commission to monitor and enforce campaign finance laws. Massive spending by political hopefuls, long before the official campaign window opens, allows funds to be moved and used without proper oversight. This creates an uneven playing field and weakens INEC’s ability to promote fair elections.
More troubling is the legal gap that makes enforcement difficult. While there is a penalty for campaigning within 24 hours of an election limited to a fine of ₦500,000, there is no punishment outlined in the law for starting campaigns too early. As a result, political actors operate with little fear of consequences, turning every public gathering or government project into a campaign event.
The consequences of this practice go beyond legal concerns. When politicians focus on elections years in advance, governance suffers. Instead of concentrating on policy and service delivery, many elected officials shift their attention to securing their next term. This leads to distractions, misuse of public resources, and increased political tension.
This pattern is not new. During the build-up to the 2023 general elections, early campaign activities flooded the media space months before INEC officially opened the campaign season. The lack of penalties then allowed politicians to repeat the same behavior now.
Professor Yakubu has rightly called for a review of the Electoral Act to close these legal gaps. With the National Assembly currently reviewing electoral laws, there is a critical opportunity to introduce stronger rules and meaningful penalties for early campaigns. Regulatory bodies like the National Broadcasting Commission and the Advertising Regulatory Council must also play a more active role in ensuring compliance.
The road to free and fair elections does not begin on election day, it begins with respecting the process from the very start. Nigeria must treat early campaigns as a serious issue, not just a political inconvenience. If left unchecked, they will continue to weaken democratic institutions and rob citizens of the good governance they deserve.
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news and analyses around the globe.
