Early campaigns could distract governance – Analyst

Describing the phenomenon, political analyst Kabiru Sa’id Sufi said early political campaigns without INEC’s approval could distract public officeholders and unnecessarily heat up the polity. In an interview with Daily Trust, Sufi criticised the recent public endorsements and posters of political figures appearing across the country, even though INEC has not yet released the election […]

Describing the phenomenon, political analyst Kabiru Sa’id Sufi said early political campaigns without INEC’s approval could distract public officeholders and unnecessarily heat up the polity.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Sufi criticised the recent public endorsements and posters of political figures appearing across the country, even though INEC has not yet released the election timetable.

“The tradition is that INEC issues a timetable, and political activities begin once the timing is right. This is meant to avoid distractions for those in office, and it has always been the practice,” he said.

While noting that violations have occurred in the past, he observed that the political class had generally respected the norm and should continue to do so.

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“When it is not yet time and political activities start in earnest, it distracts political officeholders,” he said.

He noted that many politicians try to circumvent the law by using proxies or unregistered groups to initiate campaigns.

“Usually, it doesn’t appear as if it is the candidates or political parties that are doing it. Sometimes, groups—many unregistered—start the process, and candidates may even distance themselves from such moves. But it doesn’t stop the campaigns from continuing,” he said.

According to him, the ruling party’s efforts to consolidate its position may have triggered early political agitation.

“Political activities are starting early largely because the ruling party is doing things that seem to consolidate itself more than expected,” he said. “The opposition parties feel that if they fold their arms and wait for the timetable, it might be too late for them. So, they also begin their own political activities in response.”

Sufi urged INEC to go beyond issuing warnings.

“INEC needs to be assertive in enforcing its role. It should highlight the legal and ethical implications of starting campaigns too early and the problems associated with such behaviour, especially how it disrupts the political axis,” he said.

He added that the Commission must also enhance public enlightenment to explain the rationale behind the legal campaign period.

“Right now, it seems to some people as if INEC is just being arbitrary. It should do more public enlightenment to explain the rationale behind the delay in political activities,” he said.

He warned that early political moves—especially by informal groups and campaigners outside official party structures—could overheat the polity.

“Even when it is not directly involving candidates, these activities can still create unnecessary tension and shift attention away from governance,” he said.

Addressing concerns that even the ruling party appears to be involved in premature campaigning, especially with the display of President Tinubu’s posters around Abuja, Sufi noted that the impact on governance cannot be ignored.

“I mean a distraction in such a way that governance might suffer,” he said. “Political activities could take centre stage and push governance and administration to the background. The attention of political officeholders may shift more towards politicking than delivering public service.”

“If the ruling party engages in premature campaigns, the opposition will follow suit. Both sides are watching each other closely, and no one wants to be left behind. That’s what is fuelling this early race,” he added.