By Queen Madaki | The Bureau News
Yahaya Bello’s Push for Ododo ‘Automatic Ticket’ and Pro-Tinubu Rally Draw Fire as Potential INEC Violations
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor Usman Ododo have publicly rallied support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term and for Ododo’s “automatic ticket,” in a televised endorsement event. Election lawyers and civic groups say the rally fits the legal definition of campaigning outside the window allowed by law—potentially breaching the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC rules. The Bureau News reviewed the relevant statutes and guidelines below.
What the law actually says — Nigeria News Today
- Campaign window: Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 allows campaigns only from 150 days before polling day until 24 hours to the poll. Any public activity canvassing votes before that window is outside the law’s timeline.
- What counts as “campaign”: INEC’s official guide defines political campaigns as public activities/events organised by a party to canvass for votes by projecting ideas, policies, achievements as reasons for voter preference. (By contrast, “campaigns for constitutional purposes” like internal party education are distinct.) A televised endorsement rally urging a second term squarely falls under political campaigns.
- INEC’s enforcement stance: Ahead of 2027, INEC and the Police have repeatedly warned parties against early campaigns. INEC has also admitted a legal gap: while the law penalises campaigns within 24 hours to an election, it lacks explicit sanctions for campaigns before the 150-day window—but the activity still contradicts the statutory timeline and Commission guidelines.
- Code of conduct expectations: INEC’s Code and the Political Parties’ Code emphasise compliance with electoral laws, orderly rallies, and non-abuse of processes; premature canvassing undermines those standards.
Why Bello’s rally is being flagged
At the event, Bello described President Tinubu as the “angel” sent to fix Nigeria and urged supporters to line up behind a second term, while local APC leaders amplified the call. Because the Commission’s materials treat such public vote-canvassing as a campaign activity, analysts argue the rally contravened the timeline rule in Section 94(1), even if sanctions are currently weak or contested.
Automatic ticket talk and intra-party rules
Separately, calls for an “automatic ticket” for Ododo raise questions under INEC’s Regulations & Guidelines for Political Parties (2022), which require internal democracy, transparent primaries, and adherence to party constitutions. While parties control their primaries, blanket guarantees advertised in public can clash with those requirements if they pre-empt due process.
So, did the rally break INEC rules?
On the merits: A public, televised endorsement urging re-election before INEC opens the 2027 campaign window conflicts with Section 94(1) timing and INEC’s rally/campaign guidelines. On sanctions: INEC has publicly acknowledged it lacks robust tools to punish early campaigns under the current law, even as it continues to issue warnings and seek reforms.
Right of reply
The Bureau News has reached out to representatives of Yahaya Bello, Governor Ododo, the APC in Kogi, and INEC for comment. Responses will be published upon receipt.
More Politics on The Bureau News |
Electoral Act 2022 (full text) |
INEC: Conduct of Rallies & Campaigns |
INEC: Regulations & Guidelines for Parties (2022)
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| Item | Price (₦) | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Rice (50kg Bag) | ₦64,500 | Mile 12, Lagos |
| Beans (1 paint) | ₦3,600 | Wuse Market, Abuja |
| Garri (1 paint) | ₦1,900 | Mile 12, Lagos |
| Yam (1 tuber) | ₦1,200 | Wuse Market, Abuja |
| Tomatoes (basket) | ₦18,000 | Mile 12, Lagos |
| Palm Oil (1 bottle) | ₦1,700 | Wuse Market, Abuja |
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