With the 2027 general election drawing closer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned politicians and political parties against using abusive or inflammatory language in their campaigns. It warned that offenders could face hefty financial penalties and imprisonment under the Electoral Act 2026.
Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said campaign rhetoric becomes electoral intimidation when it moves beyond legitimate political debate and enters the realm of coercion, hate speech or threats of violence.
What the Law Says
Oketola, citing Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, said campaign language becomes punishable when it incites ethnic, religious or regional hostility through abusive or slanderous statements designed to provoke violent emotions or target specific groups.
He quoted the law as stating that political campaigns or slogans must not contain abusive language capable of injuring religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.
According to him, threats of physical harm, economic punishment or social exclusion aimed at forcing voters to support or abandon a political position can also amount to electoral intimidation.
He warned that campaigns must not create an atmosphere of fear capable of discouraging voter turnout or preventing particular groups from participating in elections.
Oketola said Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides strict penalties for offenders.
“Any candidate who commits these offences is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of ₦5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months,” he said.
Political parties face even stiffer financial penalties, with a non-compliant party liable to a fine of ₦10 million for a first offence and ₦2 million for each subsequent offence.
Oketola also clarified that INEC is an election management body and not a security agency. However, he said the commission has the authority to monitor political campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties.
Growing Political Threats
The warning comes amid a series of controversial statements by political actors across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
In Osun State, Senator Francis Fadahunsi was questioned by the police over a viral video in which he was heard allegedly calling for the killing of members of the Accord Party in Ilesa.
In the Federal Capital Territory, Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo also sparked criticism after reportedly telling residents who do not support the APC to relocate ahead of the 2027 election.
In Borno State, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Sainna Buba was reported to have threatened that those who refuse to support the APC in 2027 “will be flogged.”
Meanwhile, Yobe State APC Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, attracted criticism after urging married women to leave their husbands if their spouses opposed their support for the APC. He later withdrew the comment following public backlash.
Oketola said protecting electoral integrity requires the involvement of INEC, security agencies, the media, traditional rulers and religious leaders.
He urged the media to play its watchdog role by calling out politicians who make incendiary statements, while traditional and religious leaders should use their influence to discourage inflammatory rhetoric and political violence.
“Political campaigns should be platforms of competing ideas, not theatres of war,” Oketola said.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
