The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has read the riot act to political parties making inciting comments, as it lifted the ban on public campaigns.

It said the decision followed the release of the final list of candidates for the June 20, 2026, governorship election in Ekiti State, as well as the Electoral Act.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing leaders of political parties and stakeholders in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Omoseyindemi announced that public campaigns would commence on January 21, 2026 (tomorrow) and end at midnight on June 18, 2026, calling on political parties to strictly adhere to the approved campaign period and timelines, and to shun hate campaigns.

Omoseyindemi, who formally presented the final list of 12 governorship candidates and their running mates, stressed that the process was concluded following the conclusion of primaries, submission of nomination forms and the resolution of complaints arising from the nomination exercise, in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

He said that the publication of the final list signalled the beginning of a critical phase of the electioneering process, urging political actors to conduct their campaigns with maturity, restraint and strict adherence to the law.

While affirming the rights of parties and candidates to campaign freely, the INEC boss warned that such rights must be exercised in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the commission’s guidelines.

He reminded political parties of the need to notify the INEC, security agencies and other relevant authorities ahead of rallies and campaigns, stressing that this was necessary to ensure adequate security and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Omoseyindemi noted that inciting comments could inflame tensions and undermine the credibility of the electoral process, urging political actors to focus on issue-based campaigns and healthy competition, rather than resorting to personal attacks or statements capable of provoking violence.

Omoseyindemi said any act of violence, intimidation or breach of public peace would not be tolerated, adding that offenders would be sanctioned in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.

Following the lifting of the ban on public campaigns, the ruling All Progressives Congress expressed confidence ahead of the poll, hinging its optimism on Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s impressive performance since assuming office.

The APC state Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, said that the party would campaign on the governor’s record in governance, infrastructural development, workers’ welfare and political stability in the state, which he believed has earned Oyebanji widespread acceptance among Ekiti people.

Dipe expressed confidence that the APC-led administration’s achievements in office would translate into electoral victory for the party and a renewed mandate from the people.

The party spokesman assured that APC would adopt issue-based campaigns and avoid inflammatory rhetoric, noting that peaceful engagement with the electorate remained central to its strategy.

But the African Democratic Congress, the leading opposition party, dismissed the ruling APC, insisting that Ekiti residents were increasingly dissatisfied with the Governor Oyebanji-led administration.

The party’s state Secretary, Chief Segun Adewumi, alleged that the APC had failed to meet the people’s expectations, accusing Oyebanji of poor performance in key areas affecting residents’ daily lives.

Akinwumi said that he was confident that the growing dissatisfaction across the state would translate into support for its candidate, Ambassador Dare Abejide, at the polls.