The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate action against politicians and political parties engaging in early election campaigns, which are prohibited by law.
In a letter dated September 13, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu to identify and prosecute violators and their sponsors.
“INEC is not helpless when political parties, candidates, and other politicians contravene the legally prescribed period for election campaigns. Early election campaigns are unconstitutional and illegal,” the organization said.
Last week, INEC raised concerns about the increasing trend of premature campaigns, lamenting that the practice undermines its ability to monitor campaign finance.
The electoral body also claimed that there are currently no specific sanctions for early campaigning.
But SERAP disagreed, insisting that INEC has both the legal authority and responsibility to take enforcement actions.
“INEC’s constitutional and statutory mandates extend to sanctioning or penalising electoral offences, including early election campaigns,” the group argued.
“INEC should not be seen to be encouraging or giving legitimacy to political parties, candidates, and other politicians carrying out early election campaigns outside the legally prescribed campaign period.”
“Early election campaigns have adverse effects on economic development due to prolonged electioneering frenzy.”
SERAP also criticized the apparent misuse of public resources by some state governors, claiming that revenue generated from the removal of fuel subsidies is being diverted toward premature electioneering instead of public services.
“Several state governors seem to be using fuel subsidy windfall for early election campaigns,” the letter continued.
“Several state governors are grossly failing to invest in social and economic development and provide essential services to their residents despite a significant increase in revenue since the removal of fuel subsidies.”
SERAP pointed out that INEC has not yet released the official timetable and schedule for the elections, making current political campaigns a direct violation of the law.
“As INEC is yet to publish the timetable and schedule of activities for elections, early election campaigns are inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
The organization emphasized that enforcing the ban on early campaigns is essential to upholding democratic values.
“Enforcing the prohibition against early election campaigns would be reasonable, justifiable, and proportionate, as it would serve to achieve human dignity, equality, and freedom.”
“INEC has broad constitutional and legal obligations to promote, protect, uphold the rule of law and defend the public interest.”
SERAP warned that failure by INEC to act decisively would foster a dangerous culture of impunity.
“Any failure by INEC to fairly enforce constitutional and statutory prohibitions of early election campaigns and the country’s international human rights obligations would create a culture of impunity of perpetrators and their sponsors.”
“By failing to act against or sanction political parties, candidates, and other politicians for engaging in early election campaigns, INEC is implicitly condoning the violations of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
The rights group concluded by giving INEC a seven-day ultimatum to act on its demands.
“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
