The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to take immediate steps to identify and prosecute politicians and political parties allegedly violating constitutional provisions by embarking on early election campaigns ahead of the 2027 polls.
In a letter dated September 13, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged INEC to closely monitor political parties and enforce constitutional and statutory limits on campaign timelines.
“INEC is not helpless when political parties, candidates, and other politicians contravene the legally prescribed period for election campaigns. Early election campaigns are unconstitutional and illegal,” the letter read in part.
Last week, INEC expressed concerns that premature campaigns were undermining its ability to track campaign finance limits. The commission also noted that there appeared to be no sanctions for violations. SERAP, however, insisted that INEC has both constitutional and statutory powers to penalise offenders.
The group warned that “by failing to act against or sanction political parties, candidates, and other politicians for engaging in early election campaigns, INEC is implicitly condoning violations of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and international human rights obligations.”
SERAP further accused several state governors of diverting revenues from the fuel subsidy removal to fund early campaigns, while neglecting essential services.
Citing official figures, the organisation noted that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed ₦28.78 trillion to the three tiers of government in 2024, a 79 percent increase from ₦16.28 trillion in 2023. Despite this, SERAP lamented that many governors have failed to pay the new ₦70,000 minimum wage, while over 129 million Nigerians still live in extreme poverty.
“Rather than prioritising good governance, state governors and other politicians are hoisting campaign banners across the country soliciting for votes. Early campaigns divert public resources, undermine transparency, and erode fairness in the electoral process,” SERAP said.
The organisation reminded INEC that Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act stipulates that campaigns may only begin 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior, while the Constitution empowers INEC to monitor political campaigns and issue regulations for compliance.
SERAP gave INEC seven days to act on its recommendations or face legal action to compel compliance.
