Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clamp down on politicians already engaging in premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Sunday Politics, Falana described the rising wave of early campaigns as “abnormal” and warned that unless decisive action is taken, the situation could erode the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. He maintained that offenders must be taken to court to test the strength of the law.
“The law cannot cover every situation. The lawmakers assumed they were dealing with a civilized political class, but that has proven wrong. Since they are now violating the law, INEC has a constitutional duty under the Electoral Act to come out with clear rules and regulations,” Falana stated.
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He further emphasized that INEC is empowered to act decisively against violators. According to him, “INEC should charge some of these politicians before the court. Let them stand before a judge and argue that there is no punishment for premature campaigns.”
Falana also warned that refusal to comply with court rulings on such matters would amount to contempt, which could lead to jail terms for offenders. He stressed that obedience to the law is not optional for political actors seeking public office.
The senior advocate’s call comes at a time when political figures across Nigeria have begun subtle and open campaigns, even though the official timetable for the 2027 elections has not been released. Analysts fear that unchecked political campaigns could heighten tensions and distract from governance, further undermining democratic norms.
