On his arrival, the supporters, who lined up to welcome him also raised his posters, calling on him to contest for the presidency in 2027.
A resident of Kano, who works at the airport, said some of the banners were erected on Saturday and were left by the roadside for about two days.
“I saw the banners; they were not billboards, they were temporary in design just to show the former vice president that he has admirers.
“They were all removed after he came back to the airport, on his way back to Abuja,” he said.
One of our correspondents who visited the airport yesterday also saw Atiku’s name written on the tarred road leading to the airport, even though all banners have been removed. One of the writings on the road read: ‘Atiku 2027’.
INEC must return to warning politicians – Prof Saliu
President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Professor Hassan Saliu, said ideally, INEC should have already announced a timeline for electioneering, describing politicking as one of the most vibrant industries in Nigeria.
“According to the Electoral Act, the time for politicking has not yet arrived. But Nigerian politicians often disregard laws. So, what is happening is not surprising,” he said.
On INEC’s role, Prof. Saliu argued that the political environment is highly polarised and that the commission itself is viewed with suspicion.
He urged the electoral umpire to revisit its past tradition of issuing public warnings to politicians.
“Beyond the moral weight of such a release, INEC may find it difficult to prosecute anyone. Any attempt might be perceived as acting under government influence,” he said.
What the law says
Section 94 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) states: “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”
Subsection (2) adds: “A registered political party which, through any person acting on its behalf during the 24 hours before polling day—(a) advertises on the facilities of any broadcasting undertaking; or (b) procures for publication or acquiesces in the publication of an advertisement in a newspaper for the purpose of promoting or opposing a particular candidate—commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N500,000.”
Similarly, Section 95 (1) states: “A candidate and his or her party shall campaign for the elections in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be determined by the Commission.”
When contacted, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, said the commission was not aware of any registered political party campaigning.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission has not issued the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections, and we are not aware of any of the 19 registered political parties openly embarking on campaign for the election at this point,” he said when asked to comment on the president’s posters and what the commission intends to do to enforce the Electoral Act.
