The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has expressed concern over the increasing spate of exposure of unapproved political advertisements ahead of the 2023 General Elections on all media platforms.
Exposure of unapproved advertisements without prior approval of the Advertising Standards Panel is an offence under section 34[3) of the Act. All political parties, elective political office aspirants, political campaign organisations, advertisement agencies, and media space owners are hereby advised to immediately cease and desist from exposing political advertisements without prior approval of the Advertising Standards Panel as required by the Act.
ARCON, with other relevant law enforcement agencies of the Federal Government, will from Monday 5th December 2022 commence a nationwide enforcement exercise to remove every political advertisement for which approval was not given prior to exposure.
It will further seek to prosecute any person or body corporate that sponsors, causes to be exposed, exposes, or takes benefit of political advertising, advertisement, or marketing communication without the approval of the Advertising Standards Panel.