The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it cannot penalise politicians who have already begun campaigning ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, made the remark on Wednesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ roundtable on premature campaigns.

Yakubu explained that while section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling, the law prescribes no punishment for violators.

“Quite correctly, Nigerians expect INEC, as registrar and regulator of political parties, to act in the face of the brazen breach of the law. However, the major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” he said.

He noted that section 94(2) only sets a fine of up to ₦500,000 for campaigns held within 24 hours of election day, leaving a legal gap that politicians have exploited.

Yakubu said aspirants and their supporters have been holding rallies, unveiling billboards, and running media adverts across the country in breach of the law — acts that also undermine INEC’s monitoring of campaign finance.

The commission, he added, has invited lawmakers, party leaders, civil society groups and regulators to the forum to explore remedies.

“As the national assembly is currently reviewing our electoral laws, the leadership of the senate and house committees on electoral matters have been invited. I am confident they will give due consideration to actionable recommendations,” he said.

Abdullahi Zuru, INEC national commissioner and chairman of the Electoral Institute, described early campaigning as one of the most worrying trends in Nigeria’s democracy.

He said aspirants often use cultural festivals, religious gatherings, billboards, branded vehicles and even influencers on social media as cover for premature campaigns.

“When aspirants or parties compete to dominate visibility long before the official campaign period, it distorts fairness and inflates the cost of political competition,” Zuru said.

He warned that the practice distracts elected officials from governance, undermines public trust in elections, and weakens respect for the rule of law.

“We must refine the regulatory framework so that what constitutes premature campaigning is more clearly defined in today’s digital age,” he added.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, to disregard the national assembly’s order barring her from returning to her legislative duties.

In August, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the clerk of the national assembly, notifying him of her intention to resume on September 4, which she said marked the end of her six-month suspension.

The senator cited a July ruling of the federal high court which declared her suspension “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall. She also demanded immediate access to her office to prepare for plenary sessions, review pending business, and attend to constituency matters.

However, on September 4, Yahaya Danzaria, acting clerk of the national assembly, rejected her request. He argued that her suspension, which began on March 6, remains under litigation at the court of appeal, and until the judicial process is concluded, she cannot resume.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, described the clerk’s letter as “provocative” and “a clear and present danger to democracy.” He accused the APC-led Senate and federal government of suffocating the opposition and pushing Nigeria toward “creeping totalitarianism.”

Ologunagba also alleged that the directive against Akpoti-Uduaghan reflects a broader attempt to silence women in politics, citing past allegations of harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“The extreme persecution of a six-month suspension unjustly imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is more than enough,” Ologunagba said. He urged the clerk to withdraw his letter, warning against turning the national assembly into a political tool.

The PDP further called on the international community and rights groups to condemn what it described as a renewed attack on Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The party insisted that the senator should resume immediately, stressing that her suspension has expired and that continued resistance undermines both democracy and the rule of law.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 after a confrontation with Akpabio over seating arrangements. Previous attempts by her to return have been resisted by the national assembly leadership.

The National Assembly has stopped Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, from resuming her legislative duties, insisting that her suspension remains a subject of litigation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a letter dated August 28, 2025, had informed the Clerk to the National Assembly of her intention to return on September 4, marking what she described as the end of her six-month suspension. She argued that a Federal High Court ruling in July had declared her suspension “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall.

“I write to formally notify you of my decision to resume legislative duties upon the expiration of the suspension period,” she said, stressing that the ruling entitled her to resume full responsibilities without prejudice to the ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal.

She also demanded immediate access to her office to enable her review pending legislative business, catch up on committee assignments, attend to constituency matters, and prepare for plenary sessions.

However, in a reply dated September 4, Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, rejected her request. Danzaria stated that the senator’s suspension, which took effect on March 6, was still under judicial consideration at the appellate court.

“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” Danzaria wrote.

He added that Akpoti-Uduaghan would be duly informed once the Senate reaches a decision.

The senator was suspended on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct following an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.