Ex-Lawmaker Urges INEC to Sanction Tinubu Over Vote Tinubu 2027 Billboards

Former federal lawmaker, Dachung Bagos, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to demonstrate its neutrality by sanctioning President Bola Tinubu and his supporters over the display of “Vote Tinubu 2027” billboards, which appeared across Abuja ahead of the official campaign period.

Speaking on AIT Focus on Thursday, the former representative of Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency argued that the adverts clearly breach Section 94 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which prohibits campaign materials explicitly soliciting votes before INEC declares the window for electioneering open.

“The law is against using the word ‘vote for’. Any early campaign posters or banners that carry the word ‘vote’ are in violation,” Bagos explained.

He noted that while some campaign materials avoid explicit wording by displaying only “2027” alongside the president’s image, others go further by including the phrase ‘Vote Tinubu 2027’.

“One of the billboards has the president and his wife with the words ‘Vote Tinubu 2027.’ That clearly violates the law. Whosoever—either the candidate or the party—that puts that up, INEC is supposed to sanction,” he stressed.

Bagos further argued that even without a party logo, the mere use of “vote” constitutes an infraction that should attract regulatory action.

“If it is the president, INEC is supposed to sanction and caution him because the law must apply equally to all,” he added.

The ex-lawmaker warned that INEC’s credibility is at stake ahead of the 2027 general elections, cautioning that failure to act decisively on the matter could create the perception that the electoral umpire is biased in favour of the ruling party.