The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties and candidates against deploying abusive, threatening and inflammatory language in their campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission said politicians whose campaign rhetoric crosses the line into hate speech, intimidation or statements capable of inciting violence could face sanctions under the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, gave the warning while explaining the legal limits governing political campaigns.
Oketola said campaign messages become unlawful when they are used to create fear, encourage violence or target individuals or groups on the basis of their ethnic, religious or regional identity.
He cited Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits political campaigns or slogans containing abusive language capable of injuring religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional sentiments.
He also quoted the law as prohibiting the use of “abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language” as well as insinuations and innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reactions or emotions during political campaigns.
According to him, any candidate convicted of violating the provision could be fined up to N5 million or sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
Political parties found liable, he added, could face a fine of N10 million for a first offence and N2 million for each subsequent offence.
“Any candidate who commits these offences is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of ₦5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months,” Oketola said.
“A non-compliant political party is liable to a fine of ₦10,000,000 in the first instance, and ₦2,000,000 for each subsequent offence,” he added.
The INEC official said the commission would monitor political campaigns and exercise its statutory powers to issue queries and impose sanctions where necessary.
He, however, noted that security agencies also have a critical role to play in preventing violence during political rallies and other campaign activities.
“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.
Oketola further urged the media to expose politicians who make statements capable of triggering violence, while calling on traditional and religious leaders to deploy their influence in promoting peaceful political participation.
The warning comes against the backdrop of a series of controversial statements by political actors in different parts of the country.
In Osun State, Senator Francis Fadahunsi was reportedly questioned by the police over a viral video in which he allegedly called on his supporters to attack members of another political party.
In the Federal Capital Territory, Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, also faced criticism after reportedly telling residents who did not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) to leave the area ahead of the 2027 election.
Similar controversial remarks have also been reported in Borno, Yobe, Kebbi and Ebonyi states, heightening concerns over the potential impact of inflammatory political rhetoric on public safety.
Oketola urged political actors to make the 2027 election a contest of policies, programmes and ideas rather than threats and intimidation.
“Political campaigns should be platforms of competing ideas, not theatres of war,” he said
