The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally acknowledged the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Senate President David Mark serving as the national chairman.
As per an update released on INEC’s website, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has also been recognized as the national secretary of the party.
Other key officials recognized by the commission include Dr. Ibrahim Mani as national treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as national financial secretary, and Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as national legal adviser.
With this official endorsement, the leadership under Mark is anticipated to initiate nationwide reconciliation and mobilization efforts as the ADC aims to enhance its political influence in preparation for the 2027 general election.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated last week: “The delay has been primarily administrative. We have now achieved clarity and submitted the necessary documentation to INEC last Thursday. Therefore, we are optimistic that all matters will be resolved in the upcoming week.”
INEC had asserted last week that the ADC had not fully adhered to existing regulations; however, the commission has now confirmed that all stipulations have been satisfied.
In the meantime, the escalating concern regarding premature electioneering in Nigeria’s democracy was highlighted yesterday, with warnings that without stricter penalties, unregulated early campaigns could disrupt fair competition, undermine governance, and threaten the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and its former chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, voiced their apprehension regarding the increasing trend of premature campaigns in the nation and called for more stringent penalties to discourage politicians from violating electoral laws.
They urged the National Assembly to revise the Electoral Act to make premature election campaigns a criminal offense in advance of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, along with its former chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, has voiced concerns regarding the increasing trend of premature campaigns within the nation and has advocated for stricter penalties to discourage politicians from violating electoral regulations.
They have called upon the National Assembly to revise the Electoral Act to make premature election campaigns a criminal offense in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.
While INEC acknowledged its current lack of legal authority to penalize politicians and political parties involved in premature campaigning, Jega characterized this practice as an unwelcome deviation that represents one of the most significant threats to the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process if it remains unaddressed.
During a roundtable discussion titled ‘The Challenges of Premature Political Campaigns in Nigeria’ held in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, clarified that although Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 forbids campaigning more than 150 days prior to polling day, the legislation does not specify penalties for those who violate this rule.
He further noted that the only penalty outlined in Section 94(2) of the Act is a fine of up to N500,000 for campaigns conducted within 24 hours of polling day, which he described as lenient and inadequate to deter wrongdoers.
He stated: “Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits the initiation of campaigns more than 150 days (i.e., 5 months) before polling day and mandates that they conclude 24 hours before that day. The intention is to emphasize governance over electioneering between electoral cycles.
“Nevertheless, political parties, candidates, and their supporters appear to be in a constant state of election readiness, even when the Electoral Commission has not yet published the timetable and schedule of activities for the elections or before the legally stipulated timeframe. Across the nation, we have observed outdoor advertisements, media campaigns, and even rallies endorsing various political parties and candidates.
These actions and activities compromise the Commission’s capacity to monitor campaign finance limits, as politicians, potential candidates, and third-party agents spend substantial sums of money that cannot be adequately overseen prior to the official start of campaigns.
Yakubu acknowledged that Nigerians anticipate INEC, as the registrar and regulator of political parties, to take action against what he described as a blatant violation of the law regarding early campaigns.
However, the INEC chairman stated that the primary obstacle for the Commission is the legislation itself.
“Section 94(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 imposes penalties, albeit mild (a maximum fine of N500,000 upon conviction), on any political party or an individual acting on its behalf who engages in campaigning 24 hours before polling day.
“Nevertheless, there are no penalties whatsoever for violations related to campaigning more than 150 days prior to an election. This presents a significant challenge for the Commission in addressing early campaigns by political parties, prospective candidates, and their supporters,” he further explained.
Yakubu cautioned that the lack of penalties has encouraged politicians and their supporters to erect billboards, fund media advertisements, and organize rallies well before INEC releases its schedule, thereby undermining governance and hindering the Commission’s ability to monitor campaign finance.
He emphasized that criminalizing premature campaigns is essential to protect the integrity of the country’s electoral process. In his keynote address, Jega contended that early campaigning creates an uneven playing field, grants unfair advantages to those who act prematurely, fosters lawlessness and impunity, and diverts the attention of incumbents from governance to political maneuvering.
According to the former INEC chairman, many early campaigners are often funded through dubious means by so-called third parties, in blatant disregard of campaign finance regulations.
He cautioned that without decisive measures, the elections of 2027 are at risk of being undermined by what he termed a chaotic campaign frenzy that could destabilize the political landscape and disrupt the electoral process.
Jega stated: “All offenses related to election campaigns, particularly those concerning premature campaigning, must be clearly defined, with stringent penalties outlined and rigorously enforced where necessary. All candidates and their respective parties, especially those currently in office and their political organizations, should be held vicariously accountable and penalized for any premature campaigning conducted on their behalf by third parties.
“When incumbents engage in such practices without consequence, or when other ‘third parties’ act on their behalf and evade repercussions, a cycle of illegality and disorder emerges, eroding the rules-based framework and the integrity of the electoral process. It is evident that the current prevalence of premature campaigns in Nigeria poses significant challenges to the preparation and execution of the 2027 elections, necessitating urgent rectification.”
He urged legislators to ensure that the Electoral Act is revised to clarify sanctions and enhance their deterrent effect. He also suggested that political parties and incumbents should be held directly accountable for early campaigning conducted by third-party groups acting in their favor, emphasizing that anti-corruption bodies such as the EFCC and ICPC must investigate and prosecute the sources of campaign financing that support premature electioneering.
“If we do not take decisive action, premature campaigns will persist in undermining our elections, weakening governance, and rendering democracy more expensive and less credible. The time to address this issue is now, before we are overtaken by the events of 2027,” Jega cautioned.
In his remarks, INEC Electoral Institute Board Chairman, Prof Abdullahi Zuru, characterized the trend as an increasing misuse of cultural festivals, religious gatherings, philanthropic activities, and social media platforms to disguise early campaigning.
