Some months before the 2027 election campaigns, the early drumbeats of the presidential campaigns had begun to roll deftly in parts of the country, though in violation of the guidelines and provisions of the 2025 Electoral Act.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable has set August 19 as the start of electioneering campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly candidates, all the major parties have begun grassroots mobilisation and subtle campaigns across the states.
Investigation by The Guardian shows that the political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition parties – African Democratic Congress (ADC), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have begun reaching out to voters.
Party members said that a thin line exists between an outright embargo on political activities and electioneering, stressing that in the absence of open-air rallies or canvassing for votes, it remains debatable to say that political campaigns have begun in breach of INEC regulations.
The electoral umpire, however, said it was helpless in enforcing compliance with the timetable. INEC told The Guardian that it had no extant law to fall back on to compel outright obedience to the campaign rules.
However, stakeholders and political observers warn that allowing some parties to dominate the political space in the months before the official start of campaigns undermines the principle of a level playing field, particularly for smaller parties with limited financial resources.
They reckon that prolonged unofficial campaigns could increase campaign spending beyond statutory limits and weaken the credibility of regulations designed to ensure orderly electoral competition.
Parties campaign under guise of consultations, stakeholder engagements, thank-you visits
Findings show that most political parties have been running subtle campaigns through political activities and events that influence public engagement and awareness, including expressing intent to contest specific positions and nominating candidates.
