Politicians Risk Jail, N5m Fine Over Abusive Campaigns

Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians and political parties against using abusive, intemperate or inflammatory language during campaigns, saying offenders could face heavy fines and imprisonment under the Electoral Act 2026. The Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said campaign rhetoric becomes electoral intimidation when it crosses from legitimate political debate into coercion, hate speech or threats of harm. He said Section 96 of the Electoral Act prohibits campaign language capable of provoking violent reactions or offending religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional interests, while threats intended to frighten voters, candidates or electoral officials could also constitute intimidation.

Oketola said INEC would monitor political campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties, while security agencies remain responsible for preventing violence at rallies and other campaign activities. He disclosed that under Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act, a candidate convicted of the offences could face a fine of up to five million naira or 12 months imprisonment, while a political party could be fined 10 million naira for a first offence and two million naira for each subsequent offence. He said the Commission would work with relevant stakeholders to ensure campaign activities do not degenerate into threats, violence or voter intimidation.

Written by News Room