The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned political parties and candidates in Oyo State against the use of abusive, inflammatory and hate-filled language during political campaigns.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. Adeniran Tella, issued the warning on Thursday at an INEC stakeholders’ meeting with political parties held at the commission’s office in Agodi, Ibadan.
Tella said the commission had observed an increase in the use of provocative and intemperate language in political campaigns, stressing that such conduct could undermine peaceful participation in the electoral process.
He said, “I urge you to abstain from all forms of hate speeches. The Commission has observed, with deep concern, a rise in abusive, intemperate and inflammatory languages during political campaigns.”
The REC said INEC had the legal responsibility to monitor campaign activities and ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties.
He added, “Let me be unequivocal: INEC has the statutory responsibility to monitor campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties. While we are not a security agency, we shall not hesitate to apply sanctions within our administrative authority.”
Tella urged political actors to focus their campaigns on issues rather than personalities, ethnicity or religion.
He also cited Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, which, according to him, prohibits campaign language capable of provoking violence or appealing to religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional sentiments.
The REC said candidates convicted of violating the provision could face a fine of up to N5 million or 12 months’ imprisonment, while political parties could be fined N10 million for a first offence.
He further explained that INEC had established communication channels for political parties, directing that correspondence should pass from the parties’ national secretariats to INEC headquarters in Abuja before reaching the commission’s state offices.
Tella assured all political parties of a level playing field, pledging that INEC would remain impartial, transparent and accountable in the electoral process.
Representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Department of State Services also urged political parties to reject violence, intimidation and hate speech.
The representative of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Mrs Olajumoke Odususi, appealed to the parties to ensure that the issues discussed at the stakeholders’ meeting were communicated to their members at all levels.
The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and religious bodies.
