Politicians contesting the 2027 elections could face significant financial penalties or imprisonment if they breach campaign rules, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned as political activities intensify ahead of the polls.
INEC said candidates who are convicted of specified campaign offences under the Electoral Act 2026 could face a maximum fine of ₦5 million or up to 12 months in prison.
The warning, issued through INEC Chairman’s Media Adviser and Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, focuses particularly on inflammatory rhetoric, threats, abusive language and conduct capable of intimidating voters or provoking violence.
Oketola said political campaigns must remain within the limits established by electoral law and should not be used to threaten opponents, voters or electoral officials.
The warning comes as parties and politicians increasingly mobilise supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political rhetoric expected to intensify as the election cycle progresses.
INEC has also called on the media, traditional rulers and religious leaders to help discourage inflammatory political messaging and promote peaceful participation.
The Electoral Act 2026 places restrictions on the language and conduct permitted during political campaigns.
INEC’s current regulations state that political campaigns must not involve abusive language or hate speech, while violations can attract prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
According to INEC, campaign rhetoric can become unlawful when it crosses into intimidation or encourages hostility based on ethnic, religious or sectional identities.
Conduct that could attract legal consequences includes:
- Threats of violence against political opponents or voters.
- Intimidation intended to influence political choices.
- Abusive, slanderous or inflammatory campaign language.
- Statements capable of provoking violent reactions.
- Conduct designed to discourage particular groups from participating in elections.
- Threats involving physical harm, economic reprisals or social exclusion.
The commission stressed that ordinary political criticism is not automatically an electoral offence. The issue arises when campaign conduct falls within prohibited behaviour under the law.
The penalties cited by INEC distinguish between individual candidates and political parties.
Under Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, a candidate convicted of the specified offences can receive a maximum fine of ₦5 million or a 12-month prison sentence. A political party found in breach faces a separate financial sanction.
The penalties highlighted by INEC are:
- Candidate: Up to ₦5 million fine or 12 months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
- Political party — first offence: ₦10 million fine.
- Political party — subsequent offences: ₦2 million for each offence.
This distinction is significant because the penalties are imposed through the legal process and are not simply administrative fines issued automatically whenever a politician makes a controversial statement.
INEC said it can monitor political campaigns, issue formal queries and take administrative action against parties that fail to comply with applicable campaign rules.
The warning from INEC comes alongside a tougher position from the Nigeria Police Force on political incitement.
Police authorities have said individuals whose statements threaten public peace can be arrested and prosecuted where the evidence establishes a criminal offence.
The police also indicated that it would intensify public education on inflammatory political statements before the 2027 elections.
The involvement of both electoral and security authorities reflects growing concern about political language as parties begin positioning themselves for the next general election.
INEC, however, has emphasised that it is an election management body rather than a security agency, while security agencies retain specific responsibilities for maintaining order around political rallies and other campaign activities.
Nigeria’s 2027 election cycle is already generating heightened political competition, making campaign conduct an important part of the electoral integrity debate.
INEC has been reviewing its regulations and guidelines for political parties to bring them into line with the Electoral Act 2026. The commission said the review is intended to improve party compliance, reduce disputes and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
The commission has also published its timetable for the 2027 general elections. Under the timetable announced by INEC, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
With the campaign period approaching, parties and candidates will therefore have to balance aggressive political competition with the restrictions imposed by the new electoral framework.
Oketola urged the media to scrutinise and expose inflammatory political statements while calling on traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to discourage violence.
The broader objective, according to the commission, is to prevent campaign rhetoric from creating fear or hostility that could suppress voter participation.
For candidates and political parties, the message is increasingly clear: political competition does not remove the obligation to comply with electoral law.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace, enforcement of the Electoral Act 2026 will be closely watched to determine whether the new sanctions can translate into greater discipline among political actors and a safer campaign environment.
