The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians and political parties against the use of abusive, intemperate and inflammatory language during campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Commission said offenders risk heavy fines and imprisonment under the Electoral Act 2026, amid growing concerns over threats directed at voters, political opponents and residents who hold dissenting views.
INEC Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, disclosed this in a telephone interview with Vanguard on Sunday.
Oketola said campaign rhetoric could amount to electoral intimidation when it moved beyond partisan debate or criticism of policies to include coercion, hate speech, threats of violence or statements capable of provoking hostility.
He cited Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits campaign language capable of inflaming religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional sentiments or provoking violent reactions.
According to him, threats of physical harm, economic reprisals or social ostracisation aimed at forcing voters to support or abandon a particular political position also constitute intimidation.
Oketola said INEC had the statutory responsibility to monitor political campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties, although the Commission was not a security agency.
“Beyond inter-agency security coordination, INEC is statutorily empowered to monitor political campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties,” he said.
He added that the Commission could issue queries and sanction political parties that violated the rules within the limits of its administrative powers.
Oketola said Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 prescribed a maximum fine of ₦5 million or 12 months’ imprisonment for candidates convicted of the offences.
He added that political parties faced a ₦10 million fine for a first offence and ₦2 million for each subsequent offence.
The INEC official also called on security agencies, the media, traditional rulers and religious leaders to help curb inflammatory political rhetoric ahead of the election.
“The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have a clear duty to prevent the breakdown of law and order during political campaigns,” he said.
He added: “Political campaigns should be platforms of competing ideas, not theatres of war.”
The warning came against the backdrop of recent threats allegedly made by politicians and political actors in different parts of the country.
Recently, the Chairman of Gwandu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Ahmad Mandiya, threatened violence against political opponents ahead of the 2027 general election.
Mandiya made the remarks in a viral video showing him addressing a political gathering in Kebbi State.
In the video, the local government chairman urged his supporters to ensure that at least one person was stationed at every polling unit to “protect” the interests of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also appeared to encourage his supporters to confront anyone who criticised Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, while promising to secure the release of anyone arrested in connection with such confrontations.
“We should get at least one person to stand at each polling unit that will protect our interests,” Mandiya said.
“Anybody who comes to say anything against Kaura should be dealt with. I will bail the person [who dealt with the governor’s political opponent] out, if arrested.”
“Kaura” is a name by which Governor Idris is popularly known.
Mandiya’s remarks came amid growing concerns over political rhetoric and alleged threats by members and supporters of the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Similar allegations of threats and incitement have also been reported in other parts of the country.
Ahead of the Osun State governorship election, the Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, was captured in a video obtained by SaharaReporters allegedly threatening members of the Accord Party.
Fadahunsi, an APC chieftain in Osun State, reportedly told party supporters in Ilesa to attack and kill Accord Party members found in the area before the election.
“If we hear of Accord Party again in Ilesa here for the election coming up on Saturday, you can record me and say it anywhere,” he said.
“So we are here now to tell you that till the day of the election, if we see any Accord Party members, we’ll kill them.
“We cannot be watching.”
He also threatened chiefs accused of supporting the Accord Party, warning that those who allowed themselves to be used by the opposition would face consequences.
INEC’s warning comes as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general election, with the Commission urging political actors to keep campaigns focused on competing ideas and policies rather than threats, intimidation and incitement.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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