The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has pledged to intensify monitoring of campaign spending and prosecute individuals involved in vote buying ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner REC in Anambra State, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by political party representatives, candidates, community leaders and media practitioners.

Agwu said the commission would not tolerate campaigns built around personal attacks, defamatory statements and private matters rather than policy proposals and plans for governance.

She urged candidates to focus on explaining what they intended to achieve for voters, rather than attacking opponents or engaging in campaigns capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

On vote buying, the REC called on members of the public to report incidents to the appropriate authorities. She criticised political parties for engaging in the practice and subsequently blaming INEC for failing to prevent it.

Agwu also warned political actors against hiring thugs to disrupt elections or snatch ballot boxes, saying the commission had made preparations to ensure that stolen ballot boxes would not help perpetrators manipulate results.

She said INEC had prepared for the 2027 elections and expressed confidence that the process would proceed without technical disruptions. The commission had also warned its personnel against accepting money from politicians seeking access to result sheets or assistance with electoral manipulation.

Agwu said politicians found attempting to bribe electoral officials would face prosecution, adding that the commission would act against individuals falsely claiming to be INEC staff to exploit candidates.

Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, criticised INEC over what he described as its failure to address alleged inflammatory campaign remarks by African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi.

Wike accused Amaechi of making comments in Edo State that portrayed supporters of President Bola Tinubu as thieves or mentally unstable. He argued that political campaigns should centre on policy proposals rather than insults directed at voters or political opponents.

The minister called on INEC to address campaign statements that could inflame tensions, while warning that Amaechi could encounter resistance if he continued making remarks that offended the President’s supporters.

Wike also described the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress as politically motivated and urged area council authorities in the FCT to direct teachers and civil servants to resume work.

He warned that the administration would enforce a no-work, no-pay policy, maintaining that the issues raised by the unions had already been agreed upon and were being addressed.

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, INEC has urged parties and candidates to prepare early, comply with electoral regulations and conduct campaigns focused on policies and peaceful engagement.