By Omeiza Ajayi, ABUJA

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has expressed concern over the growing resort to early campaigns by politicians and their surrogates in clear violation of extant laws.

The INEC national commissioner and Chairman, Board of The Electoral Institute TEI, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event was a stakeholders roundtable convened to examine ‘The Challenges of Premature Political Campaigns’.

According to him, early campaigns are now disguised as “appreciation” or “philanthropy”, done via billboards, social media and even in physical gatherings.

“When aspirants or parties compete to dominate visibility long before the official campaign period, it distorts fairness and raises the cost of political competition,” Zuru said.

He added that the trend distracts elected officials from governance, erodes public confidence in the electoral system, and fuels cynicism about the rule of law.

“We must refine the regulatory framework so that what constitutes premature or early campaigning is more clearly defined in today’s digital age,” he added.

Also, he said, aspirants often use cultural festivals, religious events, branded vehicles and social media influencers as fronts for early campaigns.

ADC

Meanwhile, INEC has officially recognised the new leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, as National Chairman.

In a change to the party’s particulars on its website on Wednesday in Abuja, INEC listed the new executive members of the party.

This confirms the resolution of months of leadership tussle within the ADC.

According to the commission, the newly recognised National Working Committee of the ADC is led by Mark as National Chairman, while former Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was named the National Secretary.

Read the full story HERE.

Vanguard News