Ahead of the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti state, the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Raji, has threatened to invoke the relevant section of the electoral laws against politicians “who are currently engaged in subtle or overt campaigns before the constitutionally stipulated time.”
Raji’s riot act came against the backdrop of complaints from some stakeholders that the Peoples Democratic Party-led government of Ayodele Fayose and the opposition All Progressives Congress were allegedly using state and federal media respectively to gain undue advantage over other political parties.
Responding to the complaint, Raji warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “won’t hesitate to invoke Section 99 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), which forbids electioneering campaign until 90 days to election against any political party and individuals flouting the law, no matter how highly placed.”
He said the unlawful action, which some politicians complained about, was common to the two major political parties in the state, the APC and PDP, saying a six–month- jail term or N500, 000 fine, would be slammed on the violator upon prosecution.
Raji was brought to Ekiti last month to replace Mr. Sam Olumekun, who was transferred to Edo state prior to 2015 governorship poll.
Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting with politicians in Ado Ekiti yesterday, he said the prohibition “will cover jingles being aired on the radio and television as well as the billboards erected at strategic locations, bearing the portraits of aspirants announcing or advertising their governorship intentions.”
