The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians and political parties against using abusive, inflammatory or threatening language during campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission said violators could face substantial fines or imprisonment under provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, disclosed this during a telephone interview with Vanguard on Sunday.
According to Oketola, Section 96 of the Electoral Act prohibits political campaigns containing hate speech, coercion, threats or statements capable of provoking ethnic, religious, tribal or regional hostility.
He explained that campaign messages could amount to intimidation when they threaten voters, political opponents or electoral officials with violence, economic punishment or social exclusion in an attempt to influence their political choices.
Oketola also warned that politicians must not create an atmosphere of fear capable of discouraging voters from participating in elections or targeting particular groups.
He said the Electoral Act specifically provides that political campaigns and slogans must not contain abusive language capable of offending religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional sentiments.
The INEC official further stated that inflammatory, slanderous or provocative expressions designed to trigger violent reactions are prohibited during political campaigns.
While noting that INEC is not a security agency, Oketola said the commission has a statutory responsibility to monitor political campaigns and ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties.
He added that Section 95 of the Electoral Act outlines the security arrangements for political rallies, with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant security agencies expected to play their respective roles.
According to him, INEC can issue queries and impose sanctions on political parties that violate the rules within the commission’s administrative powers.
Oketola said Section 96(7) also prescribes penalties for individuals and political parties found guilty of campaign-related offences.
He explained that a convicted candidate could be fined up to ₦5 million or sentenced to a maximum of 12 months in prison.
For political parties, he said the law provides for a ₦10 million fine for a first offence and ₦2 million for each subsequent offence.
Oketola called for greater cooperation among INEC, security agencies, the media, traditional institutions and religious leaders to prevent violence during the 2027 electoral process.
He stressed that political campaigns should focus on competing ideas and policies rather than threats, violence or attacks on opponents.
“Political campaigns should be platforms of competing ideas, not theatres of war,” he said.
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