The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has warned politicians, political parties, campaign organisations, advertising agencies and media owners against exposing political advertisements without prior approval, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a recent statement signed by the Director-General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, the Council said it had observed the activities of some politicians, political parties, support groups, advertising agencies and media owners involved in the exposure of unapproved advertisements, some of which allegedly violate religious and ethnic guidelines as well as provisions of the Nigerian Code of Advertising.
The regulatory body stressed that political advertising and other marketing communication activities must comply with the Nigerian Advertising Law and other relevant extant laws.
According to ARCON, the exposure of advertisements on traditional or online media platforms without prior approval of the Advertising Standards Panel constitutes an offence under Section 34(3) of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.
The Council consequently directed all political parties, elective office aspirants, political campaign organisations, advertising agencies and media owners to immediately cease the exposure of advertisements that have not received the required regulatory approval.
“ARCON will further seek to prosecute any person, and/or body corporate who sponsors, causes to be exposed, exposes or takes benefit of political advertising, advertisement or marketing communication without approval of the Advertising Standards Panel,” the Council said.
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