Politicians risk N5m fine, jail for campaign offences – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned politicians and political parties against using abusive, inflammatory or threatening language during political campaigns. Failure to adhere to this could result in significant fines or imprisonment under the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026. Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to INEC Chairman, issued this warning during a phone interview, emphasizing that campaign statements become electoral intimidation when they involve threats, hate speech, coercion or calls for violence.

Oketola cited Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, which states that any political campaign or slogan cannot be tainted with abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language that incites ethnic, religious, tribal or sectional feelings. The law prohibits the use of "abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language, insinuations, innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions" during political campaigns.

Oketola clarified that while INEC is not a security agency, it is empowered to monitor campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties. The penalties for offenders include a maximum fine of N5,000,000 or a 12-month imprisonment term. Political parties face fines of N10,000,000 for the first offense, with subsequent offenses attracting N2,000,000 fines.

Oketola stressed the importance of the media exposing politicians who make inflammatory statements and urged traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to discourage political violence.