Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to begin probing the activities and funding of third-party campaigners ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jega made the call in Abuja on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at an INEC roundtable on premature campaigns held at the Electoral Institute.
He warned that the increasing trend of early political campaigns was not only unlawful but also undermined governance, heightened political tensions, and posed a serious threat to the integrity of the 2027 elections.
“EFCC and ICPC should pay special attention to third-party campaigners and thoroughly interrogate their sources of funding. In determining whether candidates and parties’ expenditures fall within approved limits, the estimated expenditure by a third-party campaigner for the candidate or party should be taken into consideration,” Jega said.
Jega also renewed his call for the creation of an Election Offences Commission and Tribunal, insisting that such a body was urgently needed to prosecute electoral offenders.
“The recommendation for the establishment of the Elections Offences Commission and Tribunal has become even more urgent, important for consideration, and should be addressed in the next/current round of electoral reforms before the 2027 elections,” he stressed.
Naija News reports that the Electoral Act 2022 stipulates that campaigns must begin 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before the election. However, campaigns for 2027 have already commenced less than two years before the polls, in violation of the law.
Jega warned that premature campaigns often shift leaders’ focus from governance to politicking.
“Indeed, in the Nigerian context, premature campaigns quite often heat up the polity, increase political rivalry, as well as engender hate speech and ethno-religious polarisation. This often triggers violence, especially in politically volatile areas, deters peaceful political participation, and weakens enforcement mechanisms,” he said.
According to him, politicians exploit loopholes through consultative meetings, project commissioning, ceremonial events, and distribution of so-called palliatives to campaign long before the official window.
‘Effective Sanctions Key To Curbing Abuse’ – Jega Insists
The former INEC chairman said only strict punishment could deter political actors from disregarding the law.
Jega warned: “Effective sanctioning is essentially the panacea for addressing the challenges of all election campaigns, especially premature campaigns. They create an uneven playing field; they confer unfair advantages on parties or candidates who jumped the gun; they entrench a culture of lawlessness and impunity; and they may even generate conflicts that undermine law and order.”
SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against INEC
Naija News reports that Jega’s call for a probe comes shortly after the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had threatened to sue INEC if it failed to sanction politicians and political parties engaging in premature campaigns.
In a letter dated September 13, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to name and prosecute violators of the Electoral Act.
“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest,” the group stated.
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