The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned politicians and political parties against abusive campaigning ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that offenders could face fines or jail time.
The warning came from Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, in a telephone interview with Vanguard on Sunday. He said parties or candidates found guilty of using abusive, intemperate or inflammatory language during campaigns could face stiff financial penalties and possible imprisonment under the Electoral Act 2026.
Oketola urged politicians to steer clear of coercion, hate speech and threats of harm in their messaging, noting that rhetoric crosses into punishable intimidation once it stirs ethnic, religious or regional hostility through language meant to provoke violent sentiment or target particular groups. He referenced Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, which bars campaign language or slogans likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings, and similarly prohibits abusive or slanderous language, insinuations or innuendoes designed to provoke violent reactions.
He explained that campaign rhetoric amounts to intimidation when it involves threats of force or violence — whether through direct or implied warnings of physical harm, economic reprisal or social exclusion — aimed at compelling or discouraging support for a candidate. Campaigns, he added, must not create fear intended to suppress voter turnout or disenfranchise any group.
Oketola clarified that INEC is an election management body rather than a security agency, but noted that Section 95 of the Electoral Act 2026 spells out the security arrangements for political rallies, outlining the roles of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant agencies. He added that beyond coordinating with security agencies, INEC has the statutory power to monitor campaigns, enforce the Code of Conduct for Political Parties, and issue queries or sanctions against non-compliant parties within its administrative authority.
On penalties, Oketola said Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 sets out strict punishments to serve as deterrence. A candidate convicted of the offence faces a maximum fine of ₦5,000,000 or up to 12 months in prison, while a non-compliant political party risks a fine of ₦10,000,000 for a first offence and ₦2,000,000 for every subsequent violation.
He appealed for a joint effort in curbing electoral violence, stressing that INEC cannot tackle the problem alone and that the police and other security agencies bear direct responsibility for maintaining law and order during campaigns. He called on security agencies, the media, and traditional and religious leaders to work together to keep campaigns focused on issues rather than confrontation, describing political campaigns as platforms for competing ideas rather than “theatres of war.”
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