With less than six months to the Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reminded political actors that all campaign activities must strictly comply with the Electoral Act, 2026 and INEC regulations and guidelines.
The Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, gave the warning on Tuesday during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held ahead of the formal commencement of electioneering campaigns by political parties.
INEC has set March 11, 2026 as date for commencement of election campaigns by political parties in Osun State.
Agboke said political rallies remained an essential component of the democratic process, noting that they provide an opportunity for parties to present their visions and enable voters to assess the suitability of candidates.
He stated that electioneering campaigns are integral to democratic practice and should not be reduced to mere displays of strength or popularity contests.
“Campaigns are not merely ceremonial displays of strength; rather, they are constitutionally and legally recognised avenues for presenting policy alternatives and manifestoes to the electorate,” Agboke said.
He added that campaigns must also focus on educating voters about party ideology, mobilising lawful support through persuasion and engagement, and strengthening democratic participation and political consciousness.
“As we approach the campaign season, it is imperative to emphasise that all political activities must be conducted strictly in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, the Peace Accord framework and relevant security advisories,” he said.
The REC urged political parties to ensure that their rallies and other engagements centre on substantive policy issues rather than rhetoric capable of inciting division and animosity among residents.
“The primary objective of a political rally must be to educate voters about candidates’ policies, aspirations and plans for governance. Campaigns must therefore be issue-based, policy-driven and development-oriented,” he said.
Agboke stressed that the electorate deserved concrete plans on education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, infrastructure, economic growth, security and social inclusion, “not personal attacks, not inflammatory rhetoric and certainly not divisive propaganda.”
He listed issue-based engagement, public discouragement of vote buying, combating misinformation and disinformation, voter education, public sensitisation, peace advocacy and civic mobilisation as expectations from political parties and stakeholders.
In a lecture titled “Campaigns Beyond the Box: Working Within the Frame,” Professor Anthonia Simbine cautioned against hate speech and campaigning in prohibited public spaces, urging parties to operate within established legal boundaries.
In his goodwill message, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ademola Adebayo, who represented the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan said credible elections were not the sole responsibility of INEC.
“It is not the job of INEC alone; political parties must play their part to ensure the process is free and fair,” he said, warning against desperation and the use of firearms or other dangerous weapons during campaigns.
Also speaking, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Osun Commandant, Emmanuel Igbalawole Sotiyo, identified political desperation as a major cause of election violence.
He urged politicians to engage in dialogue and reminded the public that “any culprit arrested will face the full weight of the law.”
The State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen, cautioned against hate speech, while the NYSC Osun Coordinator, Ekang Ita Kubiangha, said the collaboration between INEC and the scheme would be sustained, adding that corps members deployed for the election would be trained and protected from intimidation.
The state chairman Inter-Party Advisory Council, Pastor Victor Akande, called on stakeholders to take the message to their communities and educate voters on the importance of free, fair and credible elections.
Osun Guber Poll: Campaigns must comply with Electoral Act – INEC
