By: Oluwaseun Lawal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) isn’t playing around this time. Just recently, Dr. Shehu Wahab, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Nasarawa, dropped a serious warning to all those eager aspirants itching to start their campaigns way before the official kick-off for the 2027 elections.

It happened at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lafia last Thursday. The vibe was tense. Dr. Wahab didn’t mince words about the “disturbing” flood of campaign posters and billboards popping up too soon. He said it’s not just annoying—it actually messes with the whole electoral process and sets a bad example for political behavior in the country.

He urged everyone—politicians, community leaders, and citizens alike—to respect the rules and keep the democratic spirit alive. “You gotta stick to the guidelines,” he said, “or else we’re just digging our own grave.”

What really got him fired up was an aspirant who went full throttle, sponsoring ads and jingles pushing people to register for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)—but with a sneaky twist. The ads openly mentioned the person’s political ambitions for 2027. That’s a no-no, according to INEC.

Speaking of CVR, the online registration starts Monday, August 18, 2025, with in-person registration following a week later on August 25. Wahab explained the whole point: it’s to make sure everyone eligible gets on the voter list, fix any mistakes, and catch those who just turned 18 or missed out last time.

He also warned against underage or multiple registrations—those caught will face consequences. And a little advice? Don’t wait till the last minute begging for more time. Get it done early.

Sale El-Mahmoud, INEC’s Director of Operations in Nasarawa, chipped in too. The registration centers will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except public holidays, across Lafia and the 13 local government areas. They’ll handle everything from fresh registrations to replacing lost or damaged voter cards.

So yeah, the message is clear: play by the rules, register on time, and keep the campaign heat where it belongs—after the official start date. No shortcuts. No funny business.