Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has decried the Commission’s inability to rein in political parties and candidates who flout the law by launching campaigns long before the legally approved window.
Speaking at a roundtable on “Challenges of Premature Political Campaigns”, Yakubu said Nigeria’s electoral laws give INEC no teeth to bite offenders, despite widespread violations across the country.
“The problem is the law itself,” he admitted. “Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act bars campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling, but there is no sanction for breaches. What we see instead is perpetual campaigning outdoor adverts, rallies, media blitzes all before we even release the official timetable.”
He noted that while the law prescribes a maximum fine of ₦500,000 for campaigns within 24 hours of election day, no penalty exists for those who start campaigning too early. This gap, Yakubu warned, undermines governance, distorts campaign finance monitoring, and keeps the political space in constant election mode.
Frustrated by INEC’s limited powers, Yakubu said Nigerians naturally expect the Commission to act but stressed that it is hamstrung by the current framework. He urged lawmakers, regulators, and civil society to push for reforms as the National Assembly reviews the Electoral Act.
“Protecting our electoral process and consolidating democracy is a shared responsibility,” he said, expressing confidence that stakeholders, from political leaders to regulators like the NBC and ARCON will help craft stronger safeguards against premature campaigns.
