Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute politicians engaging in premature campaigns for the 2027 elections.
Speaking on ‘Sunday Politics” with host Seun Okinbaloye, Falana described these early campaigns as “unacceptable” and a violation of electoral laws.
“The Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate campaigns, but politicians are exploiting loopholes,” Falana said.
“INEC must drag these violators through court and let them argue there’s no punishment for early campaigning.”
He emphasised that failure to comply with court orders could result in contempt charges, stating, “Disobey the court, and you’re facing jail time.”
Falana’s call comes against the backdrop of INEC’s ongoing efforts to enforce electoral guidelines, which prohibit campaign activities outside designated periods.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu
INEC has repeatedly warned that early campaigns undermine the integrity of the electoral process, with the commission’s 2023 guidelines stipulating that campaigns for general elections should commence no earlier than 150 days before polling day.
This stance reflects INEC’s commitment to ensuring a level playing field, as premature campaigns often favor well-funded candidates, skewing democratic fairness.
Falana’s push for stricter enforcement highlights the urgency of upholding these regulations to maintain electoral credibility
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