SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against INEC Over Early Campaigns

 

 

SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against INEC Over Early Campaigns

 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to identify and sanction politicians and political parties engaging in early campaigns or face legal action.

 

In a letter dated September 13, 2025, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP faulted INEC’s claim that it lacks the power to punish such offenders. The group argued that the commission’s constitutional and statutory mandates empower it to penalise electoral offences, including early campaigning.

 

“INEC’s constitutional and statutory mandates extend to sanctioning or penalising electoral offences, including early election campaigns,” SERAP stated.

 

The organisation maintained that early campaigns are unconstitutional and illegal, warning that INEC’s failure to act would amount to condoning impunity and undermining Nigeria’s democratic principles.

 

According to SERAP, several politicians and parties began campaigns almost immediately after the 2023 general elections, contrary to the law which allows campaigns to commence only 150 days before the 2027 polls.

 

The group further alleged that some governors are diverting funds from the fuel subsidy savings to finance early campaigns instead of prioritising social and economic development.

 

Despite a reported N28.78 trillion increase in FAAC allocations in 2024, SERAP noted that over 129 million Nigerians still live in extreme poverty, Nigeria ranks 130th out of 141 countries in infrastructure quality, and many states have failed to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage.

 

The organisation urged INEC to invoke provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution, including Section 83 of the Electoral Act, which empowers the commission to direct political parties to halt early campaigns and sanction defaulters.

 

SERAP insisted that the 150-day campaign window before elections is sufficient, adding: “The framers of the Constitution and Electoral Act never intended that the political season should be a continuous exercise.”