The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians and political parties against using abusive, intemperate or inflammatory language during campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Commission said offenders risk heavy fines and imprisonment under the Electoral Act 2026, as threats against voters, opponents and dissenting residents have increased in recent weeks.
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 becomes electoral intimidation when it goes beyond partisan debate or policy criticism and involves coercion, hate speech, threats of violence or language capable of provoking hostility.
He cited Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits campaign language likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional sentiments or provoke violent reactions.
According to him, threats of physical harm, economic reprisals or social ostracisation intended to force or suppress voters’ support also amount to intimidation.
Oketola said INEC was empowered to monitor campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties, although it 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, adding that the Commission could issue queries and sanction non-compliant parties within its administrative powers.
He said Section 96(7) prescribes a maximum fine of ₦5 million or 12 months’ imprisonment for candidates convicted of the offences.
Political parties face a ₦10 million fine for a first offence and ₦2 million for each subsequent offence, he added.
Oketola also urged security agencies, the media, traditional rulers and religious leaders to help curb inflammatory political rhetoric.
“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.”
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 elections.
Mandiya made the threat in a viral video showing him addressing a political gathering in Kebbi State.
In the video, the local government chairman called on 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).
Mandiya 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 statement also came amid growing concerns over political rhetoric and threats by members and supporters of the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Similar allegations of threats and incitement have also emerged in other parts of the country.
Ahead of the Osun State governorship election, 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 seen 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.
