INEC To Politicians: Stop Threatening Voters Or Risk N10m Fine And Jail — Cites Electoral Act 2026 Section 96
Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned that politicians and political parties who employ abusive, inflammatory or intimidating language risk heavy fines and imprisonment under the Electoral Act 2026.
According to Vanguard, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Adedayo Oketola, said in a telephone interview on Sunday that campaign rhetoric becomes punishable intimidation when it incites ethnic, religious or regional hostility or threatens voters with harm.
Quoting the law, Oketola cited Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026: “A political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.”
He added that “abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language, insinuations, innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reaction or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns.”
Oketola disclosed that Section 96(7) prescribes severe penalties. “Any candidate who commits these offences is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months,” he said.
“A non-compliant political party is liable to a fine of N10,000,000 in the first instance, and N2,000,000 for each subsequent offence.”
He clarified that INEC is not a security agency but is empowered to monitor campaigns, issue queries and sanction parties within its administrative limits, while Section 95 prescribes the roles of the Police, NSCDC and other security agencies at rallies.
Oketola said electoral integrity is a collective duty and called on the media to play its watchdog role, and on traditional and religious leaders to discourage inflammatory rhetoric.
His warning comes against a backdrop of recent threats by political office holders, including Osun East Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, who in a viral video told APC supporters in Ilesa, “Until the day of election, when you see any Accord party member here in Ilesa, kill them,” and Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo who warned residents who do not support APC to relocate ahead of 2027.
Other cases cited include Borno Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sainna Buba, who threatened that those who refuse to support APC “will be flogged,” Yobe APC Chairman Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka who urged married women to leave husbands who oppose APC, Kebbi Gwandu LG Chairman Atiku Ahmad Mandiya and Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru.
“Political campaigns should be platforms of competing ideas, not theatres of war,” Oketola said.
