The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has raised concerns over the growing trend of premature political campaigns across the country, describing it as a direct violation of Nigeria’s electoral laws and a threat to democratic governance.

Speaking at a one-day roundtable on the challenges of early political campaigns, held at the Electoral Institute in Abuja on Wednesday, Yakubu highlighted what he described as a “disturbing trend” of political campaigning ahead of scheduled timelines, especially in relation to upcoming off-cycle governorship elections, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, and the 2027 general election.

He referenced Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which clearly prohibits the commencement of campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling day, and requires all campaign activities to end 24 hours before voting begins.

However, he lamented that political actors often disregard this provision. “Political parties, candidates and their supporters seem to be perpetually in election mood even when the Electoral Commission is yet to release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections.

“Around the country, we have seen outdoor advertising, media campaigns and even rallies promoting various political parties and candidates,” the INEC Chairman noted.

Yakubu warned that these premature activities severely compromise the commission’s ability to enforce campaign finance limits.

“These actions and activities undermine the commission’s ability to track campaign finance limits as politicians, prospective candidates and third-party agents expend large amounts of money that cannot be effectively monitored before the official commencement of campaigns,” he said.

He noted that while Nigerians expect INEC, as the regulator of political parties, to act, the Commission’s powers are constrained by gaps in the legal framework. “The major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” he noted.

Although Section 94(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 imposes a maximum fine of N500,000 for campaigning within 24 hours of an election, Professor Yakubu pointed out that “there is no sanction whatsoever concerning breaches for campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election.

“Here lies the challenge for the commission in dealing with the early campaign.”

He acknowledged that early campaigning is not a new issue, but said the failure of regulatory bodies to address it within existing legal constraints necessitated deeper reflection.

“The seeming inability of the commission and other regulatory agencies to deal with the menace within the ambit of the existing electoral legal framework calls for deep reflection,” Yakubu said.

“With the National Assembly currently reviewing our electoral laws,” Yakubu said, “the commission has also invited the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters.

“I am confident that they will give due consideration to actionable recommendations by experts.”

He also acknowledged the participation of regulatory agencies, including the National Broadcasting Commission, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, expressing optimism that the discussions would yield practical solutions.

The INEC chairman’s remarks came amid rising political activity nationwide, despite the 2027 general election still being more than a year away. Across the country, politicians have been hosting large gatherings, commissioning constituency projects, and holding “empowerment” events—many of which observers say are disguised campaign efforts.

Nigeria operates on a four-year electoral cycle, during which elected officials serve for a renewable term of four years. As general elections are constitutionally mandated to be held every four years, political activities tend to intensify well in advance. In recent election cycles, the build-up has started earlier with each cycle, often turning governance into secondary business as politicians begin to focus more on elections than service delivery.

Historically, early campaigns have also led to increased political tension and division. During the build-up to the 2023 general elections, similar concerns were raised as political rhetoric dominated the national conversation months before INEC officially flagged off campaign activities. Many of those early activities went unchecked due to a lack of punitive measures within the legal framework.

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The reported 2027 ambition of former President Goodluck Jonathan has split the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-South into two camps, with the stakeholders holding divergent positions on the issue.

While some party members believed Jonathan should not contest against President Bola Tinubu, various political pressure groups drummed support for the ex-leader.

Aides to the former President have been quoted in the media that their principal was consulting on whether to throw his hat in the ring in 2027.

He was said to have been asked to contest the presidency by the PDP, the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the African Democratic Congress.

Jonathan’s home state, Bayelsa, is awaiting the position of Governor Douye Diri on the issue as the ex-president’s reported ambition has divided the loyalists of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in Rivers State, with the two camps taking opposite stance.

The Edo chapter of the party welcomes the prospect of having Jonathan on the ballot, describing him as a breath of fresh air.

Party leaders in Delta State equally pledged their support for the Bayelsa-born politician, while the PDP in Akwa Ibom State is waiting for Jonathan’s formal declaration before announcing its position.

Additionally, party leaders such as former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Information and National Orientation Jerry Gana, and others have publicly urged Jonathan and others to run under PDP.

However, Nigerians remain divided over Jonathan’s eligibility, following a 2018 constitutional amendment that prohibits anyone who has been sworn in twice in the past from contesting for the presidency or a governorship.

Sections 137(3) and 182(3) of the Constitution state that a person who has been sworn in to complete another person’s term as President or Governor may only be elected to that office for one additional term.

However, Jonathan’s office asserted that he could contest against Tinubu citing a 2022 court judgement which affirmed the ex -president’s right to run again.

The previously unpublished judgment delivered by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, confirmed that Jonathan was well qualified to contest the presidential election.

Speaking on Jonathan’s bid, the Edo State chapter of the PDP stated that his return to the party and national leadership would be a refreshing development.

The party Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, told The PUNCH in an interview that Jonathan is still regarded as one of the most qualified leaders in Nigeria’s history.

He said, “While Dr. Jonathan has not yet formally declared his intention to run, it is without doubt that he remains one of the most qualified leaders in our nation’s history.

“His tenure as President continues to stand as a reference point for good governance, national cohesion, and a better Nigeria.

“For us in the Edo PDP, his potential return to the saddle of leadership would come as a breath of fresh air for the country. As a party, we have always placed the collective interest of Nigerians above all else when making critical decisions.

“It would, therefore, be an honour and privilege for the Edo PDP to lead in rallying support for a government under the leadership of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, should he decide to run.”

The Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP was non-committal on Jonathan’s presidential ambition. Speaking to The PUNCH on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the acting Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, George Turnah, said Governor Diri is in the best position to provide a response.

He explained that, as the incumbent governor, Diri is the leader of the PDP in Bayelsa State and therefore holds the authority to speak on the matter.

“The governor is the leader of the party in the state. At that level, the governor will be in a better position to give a firm (answer) because usually he is the leader of the party in the state.

“As an individual, well, the story of President Jonathan is in the realm of speculation. There is really nothing for any of us to say now. It’s still in the realm of speculation. Whatever we say will be guesswork.’’

Continuing, he stated, ‘’For now, that’s what it is. When he comes out that he’s running, then we can now form a conversation, people can now form their opinions and build blocks and bridges. That’s when the conversation will begin.

“As a party official, holding a party position, because there will be other aspirants, it will not be right to, I’m speaking of me as a person, it is not expected that any officer of the party will hold any opinion.

“Our own responsibility will come immediately after candidates emerge. Once he becomes a property of the party, that’s where we take over. Until he becomes a property of the party, we are expected to be neutral.”

In Rivers State, the PDP faction loyal to Wike dismissed calls for Jonathan to contest, while the camp aligned with Fubara described it as a worthy move considering Jonathan’s record in office.

The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kenneth Yorwika, a Wike loyalist, told our reporter in a telephone chat that Jonathan had served his time and has been largely inactive in party affairs since leaving office in 2015.

He further noted that President Tinubu is performing creditably and making determined efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians.

Yorwika stated, “First of all, Jonathan has not been an active member of the party. I don’t know whether in recent times anybody has seen him attending the activities of the party.

“So, the PDP in Rivers State, we have not even seen him in any of our activities recently. It is a far cry from the reality on the ground now. And then the PDP in Rivers State actually think that the President that we have now is doing all he can to make sure that there is an improvement in the livelihood of citizens of Nigeria.

“So, talking about the former President, he did his time and we actually believe he has done his time and his past. Talking about him and the PDP, he has not been in our activities. So, we have not seen him at all in any of our activities that we have been having recently.”

Robinson Ewor, the factional PDP Chairman loyal to Fubara, could not be reached for comment. But a party chieftain and former federal lawmaker from Rivers State, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said Jonathan had every right to contest, noting that he performed creditably in office and is widely respected for his peaceful nature.

Nwuke, an ally of the suspended governor and former representative of Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said the growing calls within the PDP and among Nigerians for Jonathan to run reflect the confidence the people have in him.

He noted that his time in office brought a measure of stability and that he possesses the qualities needed to provide the kind of leadership the nation desires now.

Nwuke stated, “I’m saying that as a person, Jonathan is entitled to contest. And it’s a good thing that within the PDP, there are growing demands for him to return to the ring.  But I think the choice of whether or not to be a candidate will be his to make.

“But the Nigerians think that having been someone who handed over power peacefully, whose tenure witnessed some level of stability and who continuously said his ambition did not worth the blood of anyone; there are people who think that going forward at this time as we move towards 2027 that he could offer the kind of leadership that Nigeria wants.

“So, I won’t be opposed to the idea of a former President who is within time. You know there is a court ruling saying he is free to contest. So, if the law is on his side and the people are on his side,  then why should anyone stop him from pursuing his ambition?’’

Likewise, the Delta State chapter of the PDP declared its readiness to support Jonathan if he contests the 2027 election on the party’s platform.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the PDP South-South Caretaker Committee, Emmanuel Ogidi, in an interview with The PUNCH in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

“If he comes on board, for me, I will support him because every party man will always support any member gunning for election.

“For now, he is still an elder statesman, a former president, and a member of the PDP — that is all. We don’t know anything about him contesting for president.”

Also, a member of PDP Delta State, Victor Ojei, told The PUNCH that Delta PDP will give former President Jonathan 100 per cent support if he joins the 2027 race.

“My brother, we in Delta PDP will support Goodluck Jonathan if he decides to contest for the 2027 election.”

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the party said it would withhold its position until he formally declares his intention to contest the presidency.

State party chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, told our correspondent that the former president has not informed anyone of such a decision, stressing that it is only proper to wait before taking a stand.

Akpan said, “We will wait until he declares his ambition. Personally, I am not aware that he is coming back.”

The Ijaw Youths Council said it would naturally back the former Bayelsa State governor should he contest in 2027.

The group voiced concern over what it described as the biased politics that ousted him from office, wondering whether the renewed calls for his candidacy are genuine or deceptive.

Lokpobiri stated, “Well, that is simply more of a personal lifetime decision of an individual. If he chooses to run, our primary aim is to stand with our own. We are likely to support him but the question is what chances does he have?

“And the politics of Nigeria, especially the biased politics of Northern Nigeria which swept the carpet under him even when he was  President and Commander-in-Chief? With another Southern Presidency, if he chose to run, I would rather feel that they would have deceived him into this thing.

“At this moment, we are a lot more concerned about his reputation and his profile globally rather than the opportunity to serve. You know his wife is dissenting about this call for his return to power.”

Sounding philosophical, the youth leader noted, “If it is his destiny, we cannot be a clog in that wheel of progress but I strongly will advise against him running.

‘’This is essential because at this moment we have a Southern Presidency and every attempt is to unite around a Southern Presidential effort. So, I do not think that he will run.

“He is somebody who has the requisite experience enough to decide whether or not he should take such a bold decision. But if he chooses to run, we can’t be against him. We’ll stand with him, but I do not think he will run.”

The Pan Niger Delta Forum reiterated its position that the South should produce Nigeria’s next president in 2027.

The apex socio-political body in the Niger Delta urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other northern aspirants to shelve their ambitions in the interest of national unity, noting that late former President Muhammadu Buhari had already served two full terms.

The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, declared that his group’s objective is fairness, equity, and capable leadership for the country.

Ominimini said, “PANDEF practically supports that the next President of Nigeria in 2027 must come from Southern Nigeria. It is the prerogative of Southern Nigeria to produce the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because it has been affirmed and concluded that the presidency of this country rotates between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

“President Muhammadu Buhari did eight years which is two tenures. It is now the turn of Southern Nigeria to do two tenures. That was why we came out en masse as the apex socio-political body of the Niger Delta region and the South-South geo-political zone to state very clearly that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shouldn’t be supported in 2023.

“And PANDEF is also of the opinion and has directed all our people to ensure that in 2027 they must vote for a Southern President. At this point, we cannot know who and who is running in 2027.

“It is when 2027 approaches that PANDEF will look at all the Southern candidates and choose one because we cannot stay afloat or stay by the road corner and not take decisions. We must decide who the region will support en masse.”

The PANDEF spokesperson noted that it was too early to endorse any candidate since the Independent National Electoral Commission has not released the 2027 election timetable.

He continued, “So, it is after the deadline for submission of candidates that PANDEF will look very clearly as to who is the most qualified candidate that will benefit the interest of the region. The interest of the region shall be the yardstick upon which PANDEF will take its decision as to who we will support.

“We will look at the records of any of them that have served before, we will look at the records as to what they have done with the office to benefit the region. Does such a person have hatred for the region or what has he done for the region?

‘’These are the things we will look at, and without bias we will take our decision. And that decision will influence the majority of the votes that will come from the South-South geo-political zone in 2027.

“PANDEF hereby call on Atiku and all other Northern elements to desist from running in 2027 should they believe in the unity of this country.”

When asked whether the body would back Jonathan if he contests,  Ominimini explained that PANDEF has members across different political parties and, as such, represents the collective interest of the Niger Delta region rather than any single individual.

According to him, “PANDEF is a political body but not a partisan body. In PANDEF today we have members of the APC, we have members of PDP, we have members of labour and we have members of ADC. I want to say without mincing words that all sons and daughters of Niger Delta are automatic members of PANDEF.

“So, when we speak we do not speak in favour of the party but in favour of the region, the region that has been neglected for many years till date.

‘’The region that produces oil and gas meanwhile the people of the region are not benefitting from what they have. These are the things we would look at in taking decisions because the Nigerian project does not favour Niger Delta as of today.”

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said more state governors will defect to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election to strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.

Yilwatda made this known on Tuesday during the 12th Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting of the APC in Bayelsa State, where the party formally endorsed Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for 2027.

Represented by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, Yilwatda said Tinubu’s performance in governance was attracting governors, senators, and other key political figures from opposition parties.

“More governors and lawmakers are still on their way to our party because of the calibre, integrity, and achievements of the president. Our doors are wide open to accommodate those willing to join hands with us to move Nigeria forward.”

He cited the recent defections of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, who both left the PDP for the APC, describing their move as a sign of the president’s growing influence.

Yilwatda urged party members in Bayelsa to remain united to ensure an overwhelming victory in 2027.

“Other parties may make noise, but when you have a lion, it does not bother about barking dogs—it focuses on its mission. That is what President Tinubu is doing: taking the bull by the horns where others lacked the political will,” he said.

“From the South-South to the South-East, leaders are making realistic decisions. They are leaving their parties to back the president because they have seen his determination to take Nigeria to greater heights,” he said.

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