2027 Election: A Race Already On?
By: Abudu Olalekan
It’s barely past the dust settling from the last elections, and already… well, things are getting heated. You know how it is. Whispers, posters popping up here and there, a lot of activity that feels… premature. Reportersroom gathered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force are trying to put a lid on it, warning political parties to hold their horses. Seems everyone’s itching to get a jump start on 2027, but the rules, apparently, say “not so fast.”
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the head of INEC, let out a sigh – you could almost feel it through the news reports – lamenting that parties are already subtly campaigning. Subtle? Maybe. But the law is pretty clear: no official campaigning until 150 days before the election. It’s a bit like trying to hold back a flood, honestly.
And the reaction? Oh boy. It’s a mess. Former INEC boss, Attahiru Jega, is calling for a crackdown. A real crackdown. The PDP and ADC are pointing fingers, accusing the APC of being the biggest offenders. The APC, naturally, is defending INEC’s position, while the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is promising to enforce the law. It’s a lot of talk, a lot of accusations, and a whole lot of political maneuvering.
Yakubu, speaking at a roundtable in Abuja, described the situation as “disturbing.” He’s trying to get the National Assembly to give INEC more teeth – the power to actually punish those who jump the gun. Right now, the law is a bit toothless. You can get fined for campaigning too close to election day, but there’s nothing to stop you from starting way, way early. It’s a loophole, and everyone seems to be trying to drive a truck through it.
He pointed to Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which is pretty straightforward. But, as he noted, political actors often just… ignore it. “Political parties, candidates and their supporters seem to be perpetually in election mood,” he said, a little exasperated, it seemed. And it’s not just talk. There are billboards, media campaigns, rallies… all happening before they’re supposed to.
This early activity isn’t just annoying for INEC; it messes with campaign finance limits. How do you track spending when people are already throwing money around before the official start date? It’s a nightmare. Yakubu admits the biggest problem isn’t a lack of will, but a lack of legal power. “The major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” he confessed.
Honestly, it feels like this happens every election cycle. The build-up starts earlier and earlier, sucking the focus away from actual governance. Politicians are more concerned with winning the next election than with doing their jobs now. It’s frustrating, to say the least. And it creates tension, division, and a general sense of unease. Remember the run-up to 2023? Similar worries, similar unchecked activity.
But the police are stepping in, too. IGP Egbetokun is questioning whether the old rules even make sense in the age of social media. He’s asking if regulating campaigns is even necessary anymore. A valid point, maybe? But he also stressed that the police have a duty to enforce the laws that are on the books. He wants a broader discussion about the implications of these laws for national security and development.
And it’s not just about the laws themselves. Jega is calling for stricter penalties, stronger enforcement, and even a specialized Election Offences Commission. He wants to see third-party groups – those shadowy organizations that often do the dirty work for candidates – held accountable, and their funding scrutinized. He’s worried about illicit money flowing into these campaigns, and he wants the EFCC and ICPC to take a closer look.
The Presidency, for its part, insists it’s committed to lawful processes and has disowned any unauthorized campaigning for Tinubu and Shettima. A statement from an aide reiterated their stance against breaking the rules.
The APC, PDP, ADC, and NNPP all seem to agree on one thing: the laws need to be tougher. Though, the PDP and ADC are quick to point the finger at the APC, accusing them of being the worst offenders. It’s a political game, of course, but the underlying issue is real. The race to 2027 is on, whether INEC likes it or not. And it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
