Political ads are popping up too early — and INEC isn’t having it
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is calling out politicians and their supporters for kicking off campaigns way before the official start date — and doing it in sneaky ways.
Speaking at a stakeholder roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Institute, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, said early campaigning has become more subtle, showing up as “appreciation visits,” “philanthropy,” or community engagement through billboards, social media posts, branded vehicles, and even influencer content.
“When aspirants or parties compete to dominate visibility long before the official campaign period, it distorts fairness and raises the cost of political competition,” Zuru said.
Why it matters
According to INEC, this trend is a problem because:
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It distracts elected officials from their actual jobs
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It undermines public trust in elections
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It blurs the line between governance and campaigning
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It increases the financial burden on new or smaller parties
Zuru also said the current laws are outdated and need to catch up with today’s digital tactics. He called for a clearer definition of what counts as early campaigning — especially online.
ADC gets new leadership, officially backed by INEC
In a separate development, INEC has officially recognised the new leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), putting an end to months of internal conflict within the party.
Former Senate President David Mark is now the party’s National Chairman, and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has been named National Secretary.
INEC confirmed the leadership change on its website on Wednesday, updating the party’s details.
