Politicians Intensify Pre-2027 Campaigns Despite No Official Election Season

Political activities across Nigeria are ramping up ahead of the 2027 general elections, with many observers warning that politicians are effectively campaigning months before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the official campaign season.

Governors, legislators, and party leaders have been holding rallies, meetings, and events that resemble electioneering, even though no official election timetable has been released.

The trend has sparked concerns among legal experts, civil society groups, and electoral stakeholders about the potential impact on democratic norms and the integrity of the forthcoming polls.

INEC has repeatedly reminded political actors that the official campaign period, as stipulated by the Electoral Act 2022, begins 150 days before the election and ends 24 hours prior to polling. Premature campaigning outside this window is technically a violation of the law.

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Despite these warnings, campaign materials featuring potential candidates are appearing in major cities including Abuja, Lagos, and Kano. Billboards, posters, and party-endorsed events are being used to promote aspirants and party platforms ahead of the legally sanctioned period.

Analysts say this early politicking favors well-resourced candidates and established political networks, creating an uneven playing field for newcomers.

INEC spokespersons have stressed that no official timetable for the 2027 elections has been released and urged political parties to refrain from early electioneering.

The commission warned that violating the Electoral Act could attract legal consequences once campaigning officially begins.

Legal experts note, however, that enforcement of these rules is limited. Without immediate sanctions for premature political mobilization, some politicians are likely to continue positioning themselves well before the official campaign period.

Civil society organizations have called for stronger oversight to ensure that early campaigning does not undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) condemned the early political activities, describing them as illegal and detrimental to governance. He argued that politicians should prioritize addressing pressing national issues, such as insecurity, economic instability, and poverty, rather than focusing on vote-seeking strategies far ahead of the elections.

Former INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega also warned that early campaigns threaten the fairness of elections. Speaking at a recent stakeholders’ forum, he said that preemptive politicking undermines electoral integrity and distorts the level playing field essential for credible elections.

Not all political parties have acknowledged these concerns. Some state chapters of ruling and opposition parties have dismissed claims of early campaigning as politically motivated, insisting that governance and service delivery remain their priority.

In Lagos, the ruling party stated that its leaders’ activities were part of routine governance engagements and not campaign efforts.

Observers note that as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, the balance between political ambition, governance responsibilities, and electoral law will be increasingly tested.

The early mobilization of politicians raises critical questions about the ability of INEC to enforce election regulations and ensure that all candidates compete fairly within the legally mandated timeframe.

With political actors showing little restraint, experts caution that premature campaigning may become a recurring feature of Nigerian elections, potentially influencing voter perception and challenging the credibility of future polls