President Bola Tinubu has instructed his supporters to end their 2027 re-election campaigns until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially announces that campaign activities can begin.
The president’s statement comes in response to campaign billboards and materials that have appeared in Abuja, Kano, and other parts of Nigeria, promoting support for his second term.
Some billboards in the capital city have signatures showing they were put up by groups that support the president.
However, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga made it clear in his statement that these campaign efforts weren’t approved and must stop, according to BusinessDay.
“The Presidency has observed, with dismay, the increasing number of billboards in some cities promoting the 2027 campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” Mr Onanuga wrote.
“Until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sets the timetable for the 2027 elections, the President has not endorsed or authorised anyone or any group to mount a 2027 campaign for him through any media channel—be it Out-of-Home, print, digital, radio, or television.
“Therefore, we urgently call on individuals and groups funding this 2027 political campaign through the ongoing deployment of materials on billboards nationwide to cease immediately,” Mr Onanuga wrote.
Though President Tinubu can run for re-election in 2027 and is likely to seek a second term, campaign activities haven’t officially started yet. Only INEC has the authority to declare when campaigns can begin.
