The Presidency has raised the alarm over the increasing proliferation of billboards across several Nigerian cities promoting the 2027 presidential campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
These unauthorized billboards, which feature images of the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, have particularly been spotted in Abuja and Kano.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency expressed dismay at the breach of electoral law, emphasizing that President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima did not support any form of campaign activity before the official commencement of election processes.
“The Presidency has observed with concern the growing number of billboards, especially in Abuja and Kano, promoting the 2027 campaign for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” Onanuga said.
“While the President and his deputy are deeply grateful for the enthusiasm and unwavering support of their followers across the country, they cannot condone any activity that violates the law.”
He stressed that the Electoral Act prohibits premature campaigning for the 2027 general elections, warning that such actions threaten the integrity of the electoral process and give unfair advantages to certain parties.
“Premature campaigning undermines the sanctity of our elections and violates the law,” Onanuga added, saying that “As law-abiding leaders, both President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have not authorized or endorsed any such activity.”
The statement further clarified that until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the official timetable for the 2027 elections, President Tinubu has not sanctioned any group or individual to run a campaign on his behalf.
“No one, whether individual or group, has been authorized by the President to launch any form of 2027 campaign through media channels—whether Out-of-Home, print, digital, radio, or television,” Onanuga noted.
The Presidency has called on those behind the unauthorized billboards to cease their activities immediately.
“We urge those funding these illegal campaigns through billboards to stop immediately,” the statement read, adding that “Such actions are not only illegal, but they also risk undermining the integrity of our democratic processes.”
The statement said President Tinubu, alongside Vice President Shettima, remains focused on his current duties, the Presidency reiterated.
“The two leaders are fully committed to the task of nation-building, including economic revitalization, infrastructural renewal, human capital development, social investment, and national security,” Onanuga emphasized.
The statement affirmed that once INEC signals the official start of the election process, President Tinubu will make his plans known to the public.
“When the time comes, President Tinubu will formally inform Nigerians about his intentions regarding the 2027 elections,” Onanuga said.
