Former Nigerian federal lawmaker Dachung Bagos has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to demonstrate its neutrality by taking action against President Bola Tinubu and his supporters for displaying campaign billboards prematurely. Bagos made this statement on AIT Focus, a television program, on Thursday.

According to Bagos, who represented Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, the billboards featuring “Vote Tinubu 2027” violate Section 94 of the Electoral Act, 2022. This section prohibits campaign messages that explicitly solicit votes outside the approved campaign period. Bagos explained that the law specifically prohibits the use of the phrase “vote for” in campaign materials before the official campaign window opens.

Bagos noted that some billboards in Abuja feature the president and his wife with the words “Vote Tinubu 2027,” which he claims is a clear violation of the law. He argued that the presence of the word “vote” alone is enough to warrant sanctions from INEC. Bagos emphasized that INEC should sanction the president and caution him, even if there is no party logo on the billboard.

The former lawmaker challenged INEC to take decisive action, warning that failure to do so could create the perception of bias ahead of the 2027 elections. He stressed that INEC’s neutrality is crucial in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. By penalizing the president and his supporters, INEC can demonstrate its commitment to upholding the law and maintaining a level playing field for all candidates.

The Electoral Act, 2022, aims to regulate the electoral process and prevent undue influence or advantage. Section 94 is specifically designed to prevent premature campaigning and ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to reach voters during the official campaign period. As the 2027 elections approach, INEC’s actions will be closely watched to ensure that the electoral process is free, fair, and credible.