INEC Declares: No Law Against Politicians Starting Campaigns Early

Election day is barely 150 days away, and voting must end 24 hours before the election. Yet, he asserts that even before INEC releases the official schedule, a lot of political players are still in full campaign mode.

He pointed out that although the statute outlines penalties for campaigns launched within 24 hours of the polls, it says nothing about campaigns launched prior to the 150-day mark, creating a gap that makes enforcement difficult.

The commission and other regulatory agencies’ incapacity to address this issue within the existing system is quite concerning, he said.

Yakubu was certain that the conference, which included lawyers, political parties, civil society organizations, media regulators, and representatives of the National Assembly, would produce specific recommendations to improve Nigeria’s electoral rules and fill up any gaps.

“We all have a shared responsibility to protect our elections and strengthen democracy.” I think the conversations today will produce workable solutions to deal with this expanding issue,” he continued.

Prof. Attahiru Jega, a former chairman of INEC, expressed grave worries about the nation’s growing number of early political campaigns, warning that the practice jeopardizes democratic stability and electoral integrity.

During the event, Prof. Jega gave the keynote address and denounced early campaigns as a “unacceptable anomaly” that undermines democratic norms and erodes public confidence in the electoral process.

He noted that over two years before the polls, politicians, particularly those in power, are already holding rallies, advertisements, billboards, and project launches, even though the Electoral Act 2022 specifically limits campaigns to 150 days prior to elections.

The field is skewed in favor of incumbents by premature electioneering, which also increases needless political friction and impunity. It might jeopardize the entire democratic process if unchecked, Jega said.

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He charged that political actors were taking advantage of legal loopholes by funding initiatives through so-called “third-party” organizations, many of which are exempt from campaign finance laws.

Most of these campaigns run by third parties are unlawful. When incumbents or their supporters engage in them with impunity, lawlessness ensues and public trust in the system is undermined,” he stated.

Jega called for increased enforcement from INEC, security agencies, and anti-corruption organizations, pointing out that nations like Australia, Mexico, and India have effectively stopped the trend with severe penalties.

He suggested that premature campaigning be explicitly defined by Nigerian law, with severe consequences.

Additionally, he suggested that incumbents and political parties be held responsible for the actions of support groups, that the EFCC and ICPC bolster their oversight of campaign funds, that INEC and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) work together more effectively to punish violators, and that an Electoral Offenses Commission and Tribunal be established ASAP.

“There is still much more to be done in Nigeria to make the voting arena cleaner. To protect the legitimacy of the 2027 polls, Jega stated that stringent implementation, severe fines, and legal definitions of mature campaigns are necessary.

In his contribution, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Chairman of the INEC Electoral Institute Board, characterized the trend as an increasing misuse of social media platforms, religious gatherings, cultural festivals, and charitable giving to cover up early campaigning.

He cautioned, “This distortion disengages leaders from governance, increases the cost of political competition, and erodes public trust.”

Zuru cautioned that the ramifications of early campaigns are extensive, affecting the electoral process’s fairness, raising the price of political participation, removing elected officials from their duties, and eroding public confidence in the system.

As proof of aspirants using digital platforms to obtain an early advantage, he notably pointed to the rise in billboards, branded cars, skits, songs, and hashtags on social media.

The Nigeri­an Bar Association (NBA), NBC, ARCON, civil society, media players, and leaders of political parties participated in the discussion, which concluded that immediate legal changes, more robust enforcement, and ongoing civic education are necessary to sanitize Nigeria’s electoral environment.

ADC Leadership Led by David Mark is Recognized by INECR

David Mark, a former Senate President, is now the official leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The move, according to Daily Independent, officially ends the ongoing leadership dispute that caused the opposition party to experience months of uncertainty and internal conflict.

The executive led by David Mark continues to be the true leadership structure of the ADC, according to a statement posted on INEC’s official website.

The list that was made public on Wednesday names Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Mani as the National Treasurer, former Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary, and Senator David Mark as the National Chairman. Other important members of the executive include Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor, who was appointed as the National Legal Adviser, and Akibu Dalhatu, who serves as the National Financial Secretary.

Located at No. 4, Oyo Street, Area 2, Abuja, the party’s national secretariat can be reached at 08055008888 and 08027789181.

With the appointment of Senator David Mark as the ADC’s National Chairman, the party enters a new stage. With decades of experience in Nigeria’s top echelons of government, Mark is a seasoned politician and well-respected elder statesman.

He was one of the longest-serving Senate Presidents in Nigeria’s democratic history after holding the office from 2007 to 2015. The National Assembly experienced very stable conditions under his direction, and it was generally acknowledged that he had strengthened legislative independence.

Since 1999, when democracy was restored, Mark has dominated Nigerian politics outside of the legislature. He was known for being a grassroots politician, a consensus builder, and a link between the younger and older generations of politicians throughout his five terms in office as the senator for Benue South. In light of Nigerians’ desire for more powerful opposition voices in the run-up to the general elections in 2027, political analysts view his foray into opposition politics through the ADC as a daring attempt to recast the party as a competitive alternative on the scene.

One of the major opposition parties in Nigeria, the ADC, has suffered from leadership disputes in recent years, which have reduced its organizational power and damaged public trust. It is anticipated that the appointment of Mark to the leadership position, together with other well-known politicians like Aregbesola and Osunbor, will give the party’s operations new impetus and legitimacy.