2027: INEC warns political parties against premature campaign activities 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a strong warning to political parties and aspirants, urging them to refrain from premature campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission described such actions as clear violations of the Electoral Act 2022.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, told Punch on Monday that the commission has not released the official timetable or schedule of activities for the upcoming polls.

His warning comes amidst growing concerns over an increase in political posters, subtle endorsements, and rising verbal clashes among political actors—developments many observers interpret as the early stirrings of campaign activity.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission has not released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections. To that extent, party primaries have not been held and no political party has nominated candidates for the next general election,” Oyekanmi said.

“Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 stipulates that the period of campaigning in public by political parties for an election shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

Oyekanmi disclosed that INEC had already addressed this issue at its recent quarterly consultative meeting with political parties.

“The attention of all political parties in Nigeria was drawn to this situation at our last quarterly consultative meeting and the Commission expects full compliance with the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, also criticised the early campaign activities.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, Falana called on INEC to take urgent action against the violation of the law.

“As far as the Electoral Act, 2022, is concerned, the ongoing election campaign is illegal, totally illegal,” he said.