2027 Early Campaigns: SERAP Gives INEC 7 Days to Prosecute Politicians, Parties

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been tasked by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to identify and prosecute politicians and political parties that have begun electioneering ahead of the legally permitted campaign period.

In a letter dated September 13, and addressed to INEC chairman, Mr Mahmood Yakubu, the rights group warned that it would take legal action if the commission fails to act within seven days.

According to a statement signed by its deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, on Sunday, SERAP described early campaigns as unconstitutional, illegal, and detrimental to Nigeria’s economic development and governance.

Business Post reports that INEC recently expressed concerns about early campaigns, noting that they hinder its ability to track campaign finance limits.

However, the electoral body claimed it lacked the authority to impose sanctions, a stance SERAP strongly disputes

SERAP urged Mr Yakubu to “identify politicians and political parties blatantly violating constitutional and statutory legal provisions and international standards which prohibit early election campaigns and to ensure the prosecution of perpetrators and their sponsors.

“Closely monitor political parties breaching the constitutional and statutory provisions and international standards which prohibit early election campaigns, and to develop clear regulations to govern the conduct of parties and politicians regarding premature election campaigns in Nigeria.”

It emphasised that INEC has the constitutional and statutory authority to penalise electoral offenses, including early electioneering, which violates Section 94(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The letter, read in part: “Early election campaigns have adverse effects on economic development due to prolonged electioneering frenzy.

“As INEC [has] yet to publish the timetable and schedule of activities for elections, early election campaigns are inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.

“Several state governors seem to be using fuel subsidy windfall for early election campaigns. Several state governors are grossly failing to invest in social and economic development and provide essential services to their residents despite a significant increase in revenue since the removal of fuel subsidies.”

The group argued that an early campaign is unacceptable at a time when over 129 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty, according to a joint World Bank and National Bureau of Statistics report, and many states have failed to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage.

SERAP urged INEC to closely monitor political parties, develop clear regulations to govern campaign conduct, and impose sanctions under Section 83(4) and Section 225 of the Nigerian Constitution.

It said, “Enforcing the prohibition against early election campaigns would be reasonable, justifiable and proportionate, as it would serve to achieve human dignity, equality, and freedom. INEC has broad constitutional and legal obligations to promote, protect, uphold the rule of law and defend the public interest.”

The organisation also called for investigations into the sources of funding for early campaigns.

It warned that failure to act would foster a culture of impunity and violate Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

“Any failure by INEC to fairly enforce constitutional and statutory prohibitions of early election campaigns and the country’s international human rights obligations would create a culture of impunity of perpetrators and their sponsors.

The organisation stressed that enforcing the 150-day campaign window is critical to upholding human dignity, equality, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s electoral process.