The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to politicians and political organizations against deploying abusive, intemperate, or inflammatory rhetoric as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking through the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the electoral body clarified that political discourse crosses the boundary into criminal intimidation whenever it utilizes coercive threats, hate speech, or slander designed to provoke violent emotional reactions or target specific religious, ethnic, or regional groups.

Citing Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, the commission emphasized that campaigns and political slogans must remain free from abusive language that could harm tribal or sectional harmony or incite public disorder.

To enforce compliance, statutory penalties under Section 96(7) of the Electoral Act stipulate that individual political candidates convicted of using abusive or intimidating rhetoric face up to 12 months imprisonment, a maximum fine of ₦5,000,000, or both. Political parties engaging in such infractions face even stiffer financial repercussions, including an initial fine of ₦10,000,000 for a first offense and subsequent fines of ₦2,000,000 for each additional violation.

INEC noted that while it holds administrative power to monitor political rallies, query non-compliant entities, and enforce party codes of conduct, maintaining electoral integrity requires multi-stakeholder collaboration.

The commission urged law enforcement agencies to actively prevent campaign-related violence and called on media outlets, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to publicly expose and discourage inflammatory utterances to preserve national stability.