Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take a firmer stance against early campaign violations ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking on Sunday, Falana described the current political climate as abnormal.
“The law cannot cover all situations. The lawmakers thought they were dealing with a civilized political class. No. Now that they are violating the law, it makes it a duty—empowered by the Constitution and the Electoral Act—to bring out rules and regulations,” he stated.
Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), emphasized that INEC has the authority to charge violators in court. “Let them come to court and say, ‘Sorry, my Lord, there is no provision for punishment,’” he added during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye.
He warned that failure to comply with court orders could lead to contempt charges and imprisonment.
Last week, INEC expressed concern over premature campaigns by political parties, noting that its ability to prosecute offenders is limited. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu highlighted that Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 allows for a 150-day campaign period, and there are currently no sanctions for breaches occurring before this timeline.
Falana urged INEC to develop strategies to combat these illegal activities, citing Section 95, which empowers the commission to draft necessary rules and regulations. He pointed out that the Constitution mandates INEC to monitor campaigns according to its prescribed rules.
With more than two years remaining before the 2027 election, the early campaigning by political parties has raised concerns about legal violations and governance issues. Falana criticized this trend, stating, “It’s not done anywhere. So, governance is being thrown to the dogs.”
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