The new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji, who addressed reporters on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital warn all political in Ekiti from campaigning ahead of given time by the electoral law or risk jail term.
However, the Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, and some All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants are warm to stop posting campaign billboard before the stipulated time.
According to Raji the new NEC commisional said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was empowered by law to prosecute politicians who engaged in any form of “early campaign” before the time allowed by law.
The new REC Commsssioner frowned against running of campaign jingles on the electronic media and placing of campaign adverts in the newspapers which he said violate electoral law.
Raji said: “All these acts are not in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
“Activities that look like campaign are against the Constitution and people should desist from them. Media houses should scrutinise jingles and adverts that may implicate them.
“Any offender convicted is liable to a maximum fine of N500,000 and a jail term at the discretion of the judge. The law also permits INEC to remove such billboards.”
Raji seek the support of all political parties with INEC to ensure the success of the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State.
