The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Oyo state has expressed concern over the rise in abusive, unguarded and inflammatory languages during political campaigns.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Professor Adeniran Tella made this known at the commission’s stakeholders meeting with political parties held at INEC office, Agodi Ibadan.

Professor Tella explained that the commission has the statutory responsibility to monitor campaigns and enforce compliance, noting that INEC will not hesitate to apply sanctions within the hambit of the law.

He said campaign activities should be issue-based and not based on personality, ethnic or religious matters.

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”

“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”

“Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026 prohibits campaign language that could harm religious, ethnic, tribal, or sectional sentiments or provoke violence. Please note that the penalties for convicted candidates will face fines of up to N5 million or 12 months’ imprisonment, while political parties will face fines of N10 million for a first offense”.

Professor Tella said the Commission has established clear channels of communication for Political Parties, noting that all correspondence and inquiries from Political Parties must flow from the Party’s National Secretariat to the National Headquarters of INEC in Abuja to the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State.

The REC promised a level playing field for all parties, noting that INEC will remain impartial, transparent and accountable.

In their goodwill messages, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration and Department of state Service, advised political parties to shun violence, hate speech and intimidation.

Also speaking, representative of the Inter-party advisory committee, IPAC, Mrs Olajumoke Odususi appealed to political parties present to ensure messages at the stakeholders meeting are passed down the line.

In attendance are Civil Society Organizations, security agencies, political parties and religious bodies.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Oyo state has expressed concern over the rise in abusive, unguarded and inflammatory languages during political campaigns.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Professor Adeniran Tella made this known at the commission’s stakeholders meeting with political parties held at INEC office, Agodi Ibadan.

Professor Tella explained that the commission has the statutory responsibility to monitor campaigns and enforce compliance, noting that INEC will not hesitate to apply sanctions within the hambit of the law.

He said campaign activities should be issue-based and not based on personality, ethnic or religious matters.

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”

“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”

“Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026 prohibits campaign language that could harm religious, ethnic, tribal, or sectional sentiments or provoke violence. Please note that the penalties for convicted candidates will face fines of up to N5 million or 12 months’ imprisonment, while political parties will face fines of N10 million for a first offense”.

Professor Tella said the Commission has established clear channels of communication for Political Parties, noting that all correspondence and inquiries from Political Parties must flow from the Party’s National Secretariat to the National Headquarters of INEC in Abuja to the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State.

The REC promised a level playing field for all parties, noting that INEC will remain impartial, transparent and accountable.

In their goodwill messages, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration and Department of state Service, advised political parties to shun violence, hate speech and intimidation.

Also speaking, representative of the Inter-party advisory committee, IPAC, Mrs Olajumoke Odususi appealed to political parties present to ensure messages at the stakeholders meeting are passed down the line.

In attendance are Civil Society Organizations, security agencies, political parties and religious bodies.