It must end 24 hours before voting day and is only permitted 150 days before election day. However, he asserts that a lot of political players continue to campaign even before INEC releases the official schedule.
He pointed out that although the legislation stipulates 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.
“It is extremely concerning that the commission and other regulatory agencies are unable to address this issue within the existing framework,” he said.
Bringing together representatives of the National Assembly, political parties, civil society organizations, media regulators, and legal experts, Yakubu expressed optimism that the forum will produce specific recommendations to improve Nigeria’s electoral rules and fill in any loopholes.
It is our collective duty to protect our elections and strengthen democracy. I think the conversations we’re having today will result in workable solutions to deal with this expanding problem,” he continued.
Prof. Attahiru Jega, the former chairman of INEC, expressed grave worries about the growing number of early political campaigns nationwide, warning that the practice jeopardizes democratic stability and election integrity.
Prof. Jega, who gave the event’s keynote address, denounced early campaigns as a “unacceptable anomaly” that erodes democratic norms and reduces public confidence in the electoral process.
He noted that politicians, particularly those in power, are already holding rallies, ads, billboards, and project debuts over two years before the elections, even though the Electoral Act 2022 specifically limits campaigns to 150 days before to the elections.
Premature electioneering increases needless political tension, fosters impunity, and tilts the playing field in favor of incumbents. Jega warned that if uncontrolled, it might jeopardize the democratic process as a whole.
He charged that political players were taking advantage of legal loopholes by funding initiatives through so-called “third-party” organizations, many of which are exempt from campaign finance laws.
The majority of these outside campaigns are unlawful. Lawlessness is sparked and public trust in the system is damaged when incumbents or their supporters engage in them with impunity, he said.
Noting that nations like Australia, Mexico, and India have effectively stopped the trend with strict punishments, Jega called on INEC, security agencies, and anti-corruption organizations to increase enforcement.
He suggested that premature campaigning be defined precisely in Nigerian law and that severe penalties be imposed.
Additionally, he suggested that incumbents and political parties be held responsible for the actions of support groups, that the EFCC and ICPC monitor campaign funds more closely, that INEC and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) work together more effectively to sanction offenders, and that an Electoral Offenses Commission and Tribunal be established as soon as possible.
“Much more work has to be done in Nigeria to make the voting arena cleaner. Protecting the integrity of the 2027 polls requires defining mature campaigns in law, imposing severe penalties, and making sure they are strictly implemented, Jega stated.
Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, the chairman of the INEC Electoral Institute Board, explained the tendency in his contribution as an increasing misuse of social media platforms, religious gatherings, cultural festivals, and charitable giving to cover up early campaigning.
He cautioned, “This distortion erodes public trust, distracts leaders from governance, and raises the cost of political competition.”
Zuru cautioned that early campaigns have far-reaching effects, including reducing public trust in the system, altering the fairness of the electoral process, raising the cost of political participation, and removing elected officials from their duties.
He pointed specifically to the rise in billboards, branded cars, skits, songs, and social media hashtags as proof that aspirants are using digital platforms to obtain an early advantage.
Political party leaders, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), NBC, ARCON, civil society, and media players 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.
David Mark-Led ADC Leadership is Recognized by INECR
In the meantime, former Senate President David Mark has been formally acknowledged as the leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to information obtained by Daily Independent, the ruling successfully ends the ongoing leadership dispute that had caused the opposition party to experience months of uncertainty and internal conflict.
According to a statement posted on INEC’s official website, the executive led by David Mark continues to be the ADC’s true leadership structure.
The list, which was made public on Wednesday, names Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Mani as the National Treasurer, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, as the National Secretary, and Senator David Mark as the National Chairman. Akibu Dalhatu, the National Financial Secretary, and Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor, the National Legal Adviser, are two other important members of the executive.
No. 4, Oyo Street, Area 2, Abuja is home to the party’s national secretariat, which can be reached at 08055008888 and 08027789181.
The ADC is entering a new era with the appointment of Senator David Mark as its National Chairman. Mark is a revered elder statesman and seasoned politician who has served in the top echelons of Nigerian government for decades.
One of the longest-serving Senate Presidents in Nigeria’s democratic history, he presided over the Senate from 2007 to 2015. The National Assembly experienced considerable stability during his direction and was widely acknowledged for bolstering legislative independence.
Since the return to democracy in 1999, Mark has dominated Nigerian politics outside of the legislature. He gained a reputation as a grassroots politician, consensus builder, and link between the younger and older generations of politicians while serving five straight terms as the senator for Benue South. Political analysts view his foray into opposition politics through the ADC as a daring attempt to recast the party as a competitive option on the national scene, especially as Nigerians long for more powerful opposition voices in the run-up to the general elections in 2027.
One of Nigeria’s most well-known opposition groups, the ADC, has suffered from leadership disputes in recent years, which have reduced its organizational power and damaged public trust. Along with other well-known politicians like Aregbesola and Osunbor, Mark’s rise to the top is anticipated to provide the party’s operations new impetus and legitimacy.
