Skip to main content

APGA Calls On Political Parties to Uphold Electoral Integrity, Respect Campaign Timelines

Written by Nduka Anyanwu

The National Chairman of APGA, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa had the distinct privilege to participate alongside other key stakeholders at a crucial Roundtable organized by the Electoral Institute of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

The focus was on a pressing issue threatening the integrity of our electoral process: **‘THE MENACE OF PREMATURE CAMPAIGNS BY POLITICAL PARTIES.’** 

The session, chaired by Honourable Mr. Sam Olumekun, mni, the National Commissioner and Chair of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), brought together representatives from political parties, civil society organizations, and electoral experts, all united by a shared commitment to preserving the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy.

As a panelist, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa addressed the critical importance of adhering strictly to Nigeria’s legal framework governing electoral campaigns. 

Central to this discussion was Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which clearly stipulates the permissible period for campaigns. It is a provision designed not as an inconvenience but as a safeguard to ensure fairness, transparency, and credibility in our elections.

Premature campaigns are more than just a breach of rules—they threaten to distort the level playing field that INEC works tirelessly to maintain. They create an uneven battleground where early momentum, propaganda, and misinformation can undermine genuine political discourse.

Such actions, if left unchecked, could compromise the legitimacy of electoral outcomes and erode public confidence in our democracy.

For us in APGA, the National Chairman reiterates that their guiding principle remains issue-based politics conducted within the bounds of the law. We believe that respecting the prescribed timelines is not merely about compliance; it is about safeguarding the integrity of our democratic process.

It is a constitutional obligation for all political actors to subordinate personal ambitions to the rule of law, ensuring that our elections are free, fair, and credible, he concludes.

APGA’s unwavering commitment is to promote a political culture rooted in legality, issue-based debate, and respect for democratic institutions.

We recognize that a vibrant democracy depends on the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to uphold the rules that have been put in place to protect it.

In conclusion, the National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa calls on all political parties, candidates, and supporters to prioritize the spirit of fair play and to respect the legal timelines established by INEC.

Let us remember that democracy is not just about winning elections but about building a nation where trust, fairness, and justice reign supreme he opined

Together, we can ensure that Nigeria’s electoral process remains credible and that our democracy continues to thrive for generations to come he reemphasized


Author 

Mr. Nduka Anyanwu, Special Adviser Media to APGA National Chairman


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Minaibim Harry Emerges As National Rescue Movement Governorship Candidate

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  As political parties gear towards meeting the Independent National Electoral Commission's deadline of submitting party's candidates, The National Rescue Movement, NRM has on Wednesday 27th, May 2026 declared Reverend Minaibim Harry as its Governorship Candidate for the 2027 election.  Reverend Harry who emerged through consensus will fly the party's flag  in the 2027 Governorship election in Rivers State. In his declaration, Chairman of the electoral committee who is the National Deputy Chairman of the party, South South, Dr. Lucky Ekeji, said the Governorship candidate was carefully selected among others. Speaking to Newsmen at the sideline of the event, the NRM Governorship candidate, Reverend Harry said his emergence is timely, considering the political situation in Rivers State. " I know that everybody have been talking about peace, but I'll bring peace on another level. I'll bring security to the state, I'll bring employment...
1 comment
Read more

Ghost Lawyer Defends Client in Port Harcourt Court

  A magistrate court sitting in Port Harcourt was thrown into confusion today Thursday, the 12th of March, 2026 when it noticed that a lawyer who had died since last year, 2025 December appeared before it on Tuesday the 10th of February, 2026 to conduct his matter. When the matter was called for hearing, and the lawyer was not present, the court on inquiry was informed by the litigant that his lawyer died since last year December 2025. The court, presided over by Senior Magistrate Kingsley Briggs became confused and had to search through his record book, where he confirmed the lawyer’s presence during proceeding on Tuesday the 10th day of February, 2026. The Senior Magistrate informed the litigant on how the court had wanted to issue a bench warrant against him if not for the intervention of his lawyer who pleaded that he the litigant was sick and needed medical attention. Senior Magistrate Briggs also narrated how based on the plea of ill health by the lawyer, the court did not is...
Post a Comment
Read more

Federal Government Yet to Approve Adire as NYSC Uniform, Minister Clarifies

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying his earlier remarks on the subject were misconstrued. The clarification came hours after media reports suggested that the government had concluded plans to replace the NYSC's iconic khaki uniform with Adire following the minister's appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Thursday. In a statement posted on his official social media account later on Thursday, Olawande explained that he had merely referenced Adire and Ankara as examples of proposals being considered during consultations on the ongoing reform of the NYSC, and not as a final policy decision. "My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service C...
Post a Comment
Read more