When politics trumps governance

Whenever Nigerians head to the polls to choose those who will steer the country’s affairs for four years, it is with the belief that the elected leaders will devote themselves fully to governance during that period, after which voters can assess their performance and decide whether they deserve another term. Sadly, developments across the country […]

Whenever Nigerians head to the polls to choose those who will steer the country’s affairs for four years, it is with the belief that the elected leaders will devote themselves fully to governance during that period, after which voters can assess their performance and decide whether they deserve another term.

Sadly, developments across the country suggest otherwise, as more attention often goes to politicking and premature campaigning than to the business of governance.

This disturbing trend recently prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to caution political parties and their supporters against engaging in early campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission reminded stakeholders that, according to Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, the law is settled on the timeline for electioneering, stressing that campaigns are not to commence until 150 days before polling day. By implication, all current activities by politicians soliciting support openly, erecting billboards, or making public endorsements amount to violations of the Electoral Act.

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The statement by INEC acknowledged citizens’ right to free expression but warned that organised endorsements, mobilisation drives, and campaign-style adverts aimed at promoting candidates before the official window amount to violations. INEC said it had already cautioned parties at its last meeting and urged politicians and their supporters to respect the process and wait for the official timetable.

The warning follows the surge of public endorsements and campaign posters backing President Bola Tinubu and some governors for a second term as well as the fervour in the activities of the opposition despite the polls still being almost two years away.

Although the presidency distanced itself in April from the billboards promoting Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the materials have multiplied rather than diminished, with little sign of enforcement. It is the same scenario in many states.

When presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga was challenged about the wave of endorsements despite INEC’s ban, his response was widely interpreted as tacit approval. He argued that endorsements were necessary to counter opposition attacks.

“The endorsements are a reaction to something. If those in the so-called coalition had not started throwing missiles at the Tinubu administration and the APC, the APC would have waited until early next year. But we had to show that we’re not asleep but ready to square up,” he said.

Political analysts and legal experts say the situation is troubling, particularly given the apparent silence of those in position of authority and the absence of enforcement by agencies such as the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) in Abuja and in some states. It is wrong for such agencies to collect money and yield public spaces to politicians to do what is illegal in the eye of law.

As one senior lawyer put it, “It is difficult to claim not to see what is clearly visible.”

Unfortunately, institutions appear unwilling to enforce the law as they cite technical loopholes to avoid responsibility, while the ruling and opposition parties carry on openly in breach of the Electoral Act. This abdication is unhealthy for democracy.

As we have previously argued in this space, premature political manoeuvres are not only illegal but also harmful to governance. At a time of spiralling inflation, insecurity, and economic hardship, Nigeria can ill afford leaders distracted by 2027 calculations.

With campaigning effectively underway since early 2025, the country risks losing three years of a four-year mandate to politicking.

One major flaw in our system is that presidents and governors double as party leaders, making it impossible for them to rise above partisan concerns.

We reiterate that campaign billboards, endorsements, and early political battles offer no benefit to ordinary Nigerians. They only serve politicians seeking favour. The Constitution grants presidents and governors four years, renewable once. Those years should be dedicated to governance, not politicking.

INEC must, therefore, go beyond rhetoric and fully exercise its powers under the law to stop premature campaigns. President Tinubu, governors, legislators and other elected leaders, too, must lead by example.

But most importantly, both the ruling APC and the leading opposition parties have special responsibility to set the standard for lawful political conduct. They should direct their members to stop the needless distraction.

Civil society and the National Assembly must also address the ambiguities in defining early campaigning and clarify which agencies bear responsibility for enforcement in the ongoing review of the legislation.

Above all, security agencies can no longer feign ignorance of those funding and promoting illegal campaign materials. They do not require presidential directives to move against individuals or groups sponsoring posters and billboards that threaten national security, peddle insults, or bring our democracy into disrepute. The same fervour should be applied to every act of law-breaking, including the blatant disregard for provisions on early campaigning.

Nigerians need leadership focused on securing lives, improving livelihoods, and restoring trust in governance. Legitimacy will not be earned through premature campaigns but through service.

It is time to end these distractions by enforcing the law and punishing violators.