2027: Three months to polls, campaigns, rallies yet to begin
By Clifford Ndujihe
As the 2027 general elections approach, political parties and their candidates have yet to fully engage in campaign activities, despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opening the campaign window nearly two months ago.
According to INEC’s official timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the gubernatorial and state assembly elections will be held three weeks later on February 6, 2027. INEC authorized the commencement of campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly races on August 19, followed by the governorship and state assemblies on September 9.
Despite this timeline, campaign activity has been relatively muted. While some leading parties have established their Presidential Campaign Councils (PCCs), most candidates have not yet initiated serious campaigning efforts. With 97 days remaining until the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and 118 days until the gubernatorial and state assembly elections, no party or candidate has publicly unveiled their campaign plans or itineraries.
In stark contrast to previous electoral periods, when streets would be filled with campaign posters and billboards, the current political climate appears more subdued. Recent observations indicate that only a few leading parties have formed campaign councils, while many candidates appear to be focusing on consultations, grassroots mobilization, and addressing party-related legal disputes.
Where campaigning has begun, another contention has emerged: the competition for billboard space and public advertising venues, amidst allegations of the removal and destruction of signage, intimidation, and the partisan use of regulatory authorities.
APC Crisis Stalls Campaign Efforts in Ondo
In Ondo State, political activity remains subdued, with only a few All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates displaying campaign posters in prominent areas. Unlike prior election periods that featured a vibrant poster war, opposition party candidates have largely been absent from the streets.
Reports indicate that only a handful of opposition candidates have put up posters, while many are still in the process of printing theirs. This slowdown in campaigning has been largely attributed to ongoing crises within the APC, where several aspirants who lost their primaries have launched legal challenges against the results.
Even among incumbent National Assembly members who secured re-election tickets, few have printed or displayed campaign posters. The uncertainty surrounding candidacies has led to a decrease in political activity. The APC National Working Committee’s decision to drop certain aspirants post-primaries has exacerbated the situation, stalling the traditional billboard and poster campaigns.
While billboards featuring images of APC presidential candidate Senator Bola Tinubu are visible in major towns, posters from other candidates, such as the ADC’s presidential hopeful Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, remain scarce. It is worth noting that Ondo will not hold a governorship election in 2027, focusing solely on the presidential, National Assembly, and state assembly ballots.
Tinubu Dominates Campaign Landscape in Ekiti
A similar trend has emerged in Ekiti State, where the campaign atmosphere is markedly different from previous elections characterized by intense competition for visibility through posters and billboards. Signs for President Tinubu are widespread, while competing parties, particularly the ADC and NDC, have minimal presence.
In a noteworthy political development, Dr. Wole Oluyede, who ran as the PDP candidate in the June 20, 2026, governorship election, has shifted his support to Tinubu, forming the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA) to rally support across the state’s 16 local government areas and 177 wards. At a recent rally in Ado-Ekiti, Oluyede and Governor Biodun Oyebanji jointly solicited votes for Tinubu, pledging to secure at least 90 percent of the President’s votes in Ekiti.
Campaign Environment in Osun
In Osun State, the situation contrasts with other areas, as campaign posters and banners are being actively displayed, with fewer incidents of defacement compared to the recent governorship election. Various parties are mounting campaign materials in public spaces without reports of extensive destruction.
Tensions in Lagos Amid Campaign Advertising Battles
Lagos sees heightened political activity amid tensions surrounding public advertising regulations. The governorship race involving APC, ADC, and PDP candidates is drawing more attention than other contests, such as the Senate and House of Representatives races, which remain relatively quiet.
Notably, billboards with images of Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and APC gubernatorial candidate Dr. Obafemi Hamzat are evident in major areas. In contrast, visibility for ADC and NDC candidates is limited, leading to allegations from opposition parties regarding the removal of their campaign materials.
Political Tensions in Ogun
Political activities are picking up in Ogun State, where the PDP has officially launched its governorship campaign, and the ruling APC is ramping up efforts across its senatorial districts. However, incidents of vandalism targeting posters and banners are increasingly reported, with multiple parties affected.
Campaign activities are also intensifying in Oyo State, where candidates are vying for visibility with strategic placement of campaign materials. However, disputes have arisen over the alleged removal of opponents’ billboards.
Growing Dissatisfaction in Edo
In Edo State, campaign activities are gaining momentum as political posters and banners increasingly fill public spaces. However, allegations of attacks on campaign materials by suspected political thugs have been reported, raising concerns about violence in the lead-up to the elections.
As the elections draw closer, the previously subdued campaign atmosphere across these states may soon transition into the familiar fervor of rallies, promotional materials, and increased political engagement. Currently, much of the contest is unfolding behind closed doors in meetings, courtrooms, and consultations, while candidates strive to make lasting impressions on potential voters.
Contributors
Dayo Johnson, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Egufe Yafugborhi, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Ozioruva Aliu, Shina Abubakar, James Ogunnnaike, and Adeola Badru contributed to this report.
