The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians and political parties to desist from early campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election. INEC had through a release by the Chief Press Secretary of INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the electoral umpire has not released the timetable for the 2027 general election. It further stated that any form of campaign for the 2027 poll is a violation of electoral laws of the country.
According to the release, “the Independent National Electoral Commission has not released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election. As such, no political party has conducted primaries or nominated any candidate for the election.” “Section 94(1) of the Act is emphatic that campaigns are only allowed to begin 150 days before an election and must stop 24 hours before the election starts,” it stated.
Section 95(1) of the Act says that all campaigns must follow INEC’s rules. “Even though people have the right to express their political views, organised endorsements, mobilisation efforts, and campaign-style adverts aimed at promoting candidates before the official campaign period are not allowed,” the release stated.
Notable Nigerians have expressed concerns over the rising tempo of political activities in the country, two years to the 2027 general election. For instance, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has vehemently criticised the trend and asked INEC to caution politicians against breaching the Electoral Act, 2022. Falana has argued that as far as the Electoral Act, 2022 is concerned, the ongoing election campaign is illegal and diversionary, because what Nigerians expect now, and what the law provides, is good governance of the country without disruption.
Prominent election monitoring group, YIAGA Africa, has also warned against early campaigns for the 2027 poll by politicians. YIAGA Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, noted that the premature campaigns by political parties for the 2027 Nigerian general election are not only illegal but also detrimental to governance, calling for strict punishment for defaulters. Itodo described the early engagement of political actors in campaign activities as a clear indication of impunity among the political elite.
Although belated, the warning by the electoral umpire is a step in the right direction. It came on the heels of rising tension in the land following the unrestrained activities by political parties and their leading contenders. Almost all the political parties are involved in the reckless premature campaigns. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is as guilty as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and others. With the flagrant display of campaign posters, gale of endorsements, defections, mobilisation and escalation of inflammable political rhetoric among political actors, it is obvious that the campaigns have commenced.
The display of subtle campaign posters in Abuja and other places is obscene and against the provisions of the extant electoral laws. Our politician s must respect the laws of the land. We enjoin our politicians to stop overheating the polity with incendiary and divisive comments. The open endorsement of President Bola Tinubu by party supporters must have heightened the political tension in the country. At the same time, the formation of the ADC coalition by former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his LP counterpart, Peter Obi, with other political bigwigs to challenge President Tinubu, may have added to the electioneering fever.
Politicians should pay heed to the advice by the INEC. 2027 is still two years ahead. The lid for 2027 elections is yet to be lifted. The early campaigns are overheating the polity and distracting real governance. Nigerians are yet to feel the impacts of governance. With rising tide of insecurity manifested in terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping in many parts of the country, politicians and the political parties already have a lot to contend with. The situation is not helped by rising cost of food items, increasing youth unemployment and general restiveness. These are issues that should bother the ruling party and the opposition. INEC should be decisive and firm in slamming sanctions against erring parties and individuals.
Early campaigns are unnecessary and avoidable. Let the politicians and their supporters play by the rules. Commencement of another election campaigns when the elected officials are yet to settle down fully after the 2023 general elections, is not in the best interest of the country and the citizens. What Nigerians need from their leaders now is good governance and not to be dragged into another season of election campaigns. There must be time and schedule for every political engagement. Therefore, those campaigning for the 2027 election should desist from the illegal act.
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