The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties in Oyo State against engaging in smear campaigns, abusive language and inflammatory rhetoric, threatening stiff sanctions, including fines and imprisonment, for violations of the electoral law.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the tone of political campaigns ahead of the forthcoming general election, with the commission expressing displeasure over the increasing use of language capable of inciting violence and deepening ethnic, religious and political divisions.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, raised the alarm at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan on Thursday, where he called on political parties and their candidates to conduct issue-based campaigns and uphold the principles of peaceful democratic engagement.
Tella said the commission had observed with deep concern a rise in abusive, intemperate and inflammatory language during the ongoing political campaigns.
He noted that INEC has the statutory responsibility to monitor campaign activities and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for political parties.
The REC stressed that political campaigns should focus on policies, programmes and issues affecting the electorate rather than personal attacks or divisive sentiments.
He maintained that campaign activities should be issue-based “and not based on personality, ethnic or religious matters”.
Citing the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, Tella said Section 96 prohibits campaign language capable of harming religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings or provoking violence.
He warned that individuals found guilty of violating the provisions could face fines of up to N5 million or a 12-month imprisonment.
“Political parties will face fines up to N10 million for a first offence,” he said.
The commission also directed political parties in the state to submit schedules of their campaign activities, including the specific venues and dates of rallies and meetings, to its state headquarters to facilitate effective monitoring.
The warning underscores INEC’s determination to ensure that political campaigns remain peaceful and comply with the legal framework governing the electoral process.
38 Senate Candidates, 151 House of Representatives Contenders
Providing an update on the electoral process in the state, Tella disclosed that 38 candidates were contesting for the three senatorial district seats, while 151 candidates were vying for the 14 House of Representatives seats.
He also announced that the commission had published the particulars of candidates for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on Form EC9.
“Regarding the governorship and State House of Assembly elections, the commission has published the particulars of candidates on Form EC9.
“The final list for state-level candidates is scheduled for publication on Oct. 10.
“So, I urge all party leaders to verify the details of their candidates and ensure that their credentials are in order, as there will be no room for errors at that stage,” he stated.
The REC urged political party leaders to ensure that all candidate details and credentials were accurate ahead of the publication of the final list.
INEC Opens Recruitment Portal for Ad-Hoc Staff
As part of preparations for the elections, Tella disclosed that INEC had opened its recruitment portal for the engagement of ad-hoc staff to be deployed across the state’s 6,319 polling units.
According to him, the portal, which opened on Sept. 18, would remain accessible until midnight on Nov. 18.
He said interested applicants could access the recruitment platform through pres.inecnigeria.org and the application links provided by the commission.
Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to conducting credible elections, Tella assured political parties and candidates of a level playing field.
He appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peaceful political engagement, stressing that electoral contests should be driven by ideas and policy alternatives rather than hostility.
“We shall remain impartial, transparent and accountable as an umpire in the electoral process,” he said.
Security Agencies, Stakeholders Call for Peaceful Campaigns
The warning by INEC was reinforced by security agencies and other stakeholders at the meeting, who called on political parties to conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns and cooperate with authorities to maintain law and order.
In his goodwill message, the police representative, Mr Usen Ekanem, urged political parties and their candidates to maintain decorum and focus their campaigns on policies and programmes that would benefit the electorate.
He advised political parties to notify the police of their rally and campaign venues and dates at least 48 hours in advance to enable the deployment of adequate security personnel.
Similarly, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS), G. E. Akaram, urged political parties to shun violence and refrain from destroying opponents’ campaign billboards.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) representative, Mrs Florence Shiyanbade, called on political parties to concentrate on their manifestoes rather than engage in confrontations and violence with their opponents.
She emphasised the need for issue-based campaigns that would enable voters to assess candidates based on their proposed policies and programmes.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), represented by its state Deputy Chairman, Mrs Olajumoke Odususi, called on political parties to support INEC and security agencies in ensuring credible elections.
Odususi disclosed that IPAC had commenced sensitisation efforts among its members on the need to conduct issue-based campaigns.
She urged political parties to embrace peaceful political competition and avoid treating the forthcoming elections as a do-or-die affair.
With INEC and other stakeholders raising concerns over campaign conduct, the meeting highlighted the growing emphasis on peaceful political engagement, compliance with electoral laws and the need to prevent violence as the election season progresses.
