APGA Reaffirms Commitment to Electoral Integrity at INEC Roundtable on Premature Campaigns

 **APGA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ELECTORAL INTEGRITY AT INEC ROUNDTABLE ON PREMATURE CAMPAIGNS**

By APGA Publicity Committee 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barr. Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has reiterated the party’s steadfast commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through strict adherence to the nation’s electoral laws.

This was declared yesterday in Abuja at a high-level Roundtable on *“The Menace of Premature Campaigns by Political Parties”* organized by the Electoral Institute of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The engagement brought together political parties, civil society organizations, and electoral experts for a robust exchange of ideas on safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral process.

The Roundtable was chaired by Honourable National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, mni. He underscored the importance of collective responsibility among political stakeholders to ensure respect for electoral guidelines and prevent the abuse of campaign regulations.

Speaking as a panelist on the legal framework governing campaign activities, the APGA National Chairman stressed that strict compliance with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 is non-negotiable. He reminded stakeholders that the law clearly stipulates the timeframe for campaigns, warning that any violation erodes democratic order.

Barr. Ezeokenwa highlighted that premature campaigns not only distort the level playing field which INEC works to maintain but also weaken electoral integrity and reduce public confidence in democratic institutions. He noted that such infractions put unnecessary strain on Nigeria’s political system and must be curtailed.

He went further to emphasize that political ambitions must never override constitutional obligations. According to him, “For democracy to thrive, discipline among political actors is crucial. Respecting timelines is not a matter of choice but a matter of law, and only by following these rules can we protect the sanctity of our elections.”

Reaffirming APGA’s stance, the Chairman restated that the party is focused on issue-based politics within the legal framework. He assured that APGA will continue to prioritize the interests of the people, promoting good governance and development over unnecessary early politicking.

The Roundtable also provided civil society organizations and electoral experts the platform to outline the dangers of premature campaigns. Several speakers called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to deter violations, while others recommended collaborative monitoring between INEC and political parties.

In his closing remarks, the APGA Chairman commended INEC and the Electoral Institute for organizing the session and pledged the party’s willingness to partner with all stakeholders in building a credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral process.

APGA concluded by urging all political actors to embrace discipline, respect the law, and commit to strengthening democracy in Nigeria. The party emphasized that only through collective adherence to the rules can the nation guarantee free, fair, and peaceful elections for its citizens.

Signed:

Wole Adedoyin 

Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the National Chairman of APGA