2027: INEC directs political parties in Nasarawa to submit campaign schedules

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nasarawa has directed all registered political parties in the state to submit detailed itineraries of their campaign activities for proper monitoring ahead of the 2027 general elections.
 

Mallam Muhammed Abubakar, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), gave the directive at a stakeholders’ meeting with leaders of political parties and security agencies on Wednesday in Lafia.
 
Abubakar said each political party was required to submit a copy of its campaign itinerary to the INEC state headquarters and another to the state Police Command, in line with existing laws.
 
He said the measure was aimed at ensuring order, security and compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC regulations during political campaigns.
 
“Political parties are hereby required to submit their campaign schedules, including dates, venues, routes and Local Government Areas to visit.
 
“It should also contain where rallies, town hall meetings, consultations and other engagements will be held, as well as the names and contact details of coordinators responsible for the events.
 
“This will enable INEC, in collaboration with security agencies, to provide adequate security and monitor compliance,” the REC said.
 
He urged political parties and their supporters to shun hate speech, incitement, political violence and defacement of public property, in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
 
“Political campaigns must be issue-based and in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC regulations,” he added.
 
The REC also reiterated the commission’s neutrality, assuring political parties that INEC had no preference for any political party or candidate.
 
Speaking on behalf of the security agencies, the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Mohammed, assured political parties that security personnel would be deployed to monitor campaign activities based on the itineraries submitted.
 
Mohammed, represented by DCP Sanusi Jida, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, said security agencies would ensure fairness in the deployment of personnel to cover campaign activities, provided the parties notified the command.
 
Also speaking, Dr Aliyu Bello, State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by the party’s Secretary, Yarius Dagusa, said the meeting had further encouraged the party to strengthen its commitment to peace, law and order in all its political activities.
 
Dr Joel Gimba, State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged security agencies to respond promptly and without bias to applications and requests from all political parties.
 
It was reported that representatives of other political parties at the meeting pledged to abide by the rules of engagement and ensure that the message from the meeting was effectively communicated to their supporters.
 
They also pledged to promote orderliness, peace and compliance with the law during campaigns, rallies, gatherings and other political engagements.