The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned politicians and political parties against abusive, inflammatory and threatening campaign statements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC said offenders could face fines or imprisonment under the Electoral Act 2026. The warning comes amid growing political tensions and threats against voters, opponents and residents who hold dissenting views.
Candidates risk N5m fine or 12 months in jail
INEC Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, disclosed the penalties in a telephone interview.
He said campaign rhetoric becomes electoral intimidation when it moves beyond political debate and enters the territory of threats, coercion, hate speech or incitement.
Oketola cited Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026. The provision prohibits campaign language that could provoke violent reactions or inflame ethnic, religious, tribal or sectional sentiments. He added that threats of physical harm, economic reprisals or social exclusion could also amount to intimidation. This applies when such threats seek to influence or suppress voters’ political choices.
According to Oketola, Section 96(7) provides a maximum fine of N5 million or 12 months’ imprisonment for candidates convicted of the offence. Political parties face a N10 million fine for a first offence and N2 million for each subsequent offence.
INEC explains its enforcement powers
Oketola said INEC has the statutory responsibility to monitor political campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties. He noted that the commission is an election management body and not a security agency.
“Beyond inter-agency security coordination, INEC is statutorily empowered to monitor political campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties,” he said.
He added that INEC could issue formal queries and sanction non-compliant parties within its administrative powers. Oketola urged politicians to focus on issues and policies instead of threats that could create fear or provoke violence.
Security agencies, media urged to act
The INEC spokesman said security agencies also have an important role in preventing political violence. He specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to maintain law and order during campaigns.
“The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have a clear duty to prevent the breakdown of law and order during political campaigns,” Oketola said.
He also urged the media to expose politicians who make inflammatory statements. Traditional and religious leaders, he added, should use their influence to discourage political actors from making provocative remarks.
Oketola said protecting the integrity of the 2027 elections would require cooperation among INEC, security agencies, political parties, the media and community leaders.
Warning follows recent political threats
INEC’s warning comes against the backdrop of several controversial statements by political actors across the country. The commission said recent threats against voters, political opponents and dissenting residents showed the need for greater compliance with campaign rules.
INEC maintained that political campaigns should provide space for competing ideas rather than threats, intimidation and violence. The commission therefore urged politicians to respect the Electoral Act 2026 as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
