As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has sounded a note of warning to politicians, political parties, campaign organisations, advertising agencies and media owners over the exposure of unapproved political advertisements.

The Council, in a statement signed by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General, ARCON said it had observed the activities of some politicians, political parties, support groups, advertising agencies and media owners involved in exposing advertisements without the required regulatory approval.

According to ARCON, some of the advertisements already exposed have been found to violate religious and ethical guidelines as well as provisions of the Nigerian Code of Advertising.

The development comes as political campaign activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, raising concerns around the nature, content and regulatory compliance of political communication across traditional and digital media platforms.

Against this backdrop, the advertising regulator urged all stakeholders in the political communication ecosystem to exercise caution and ensure that their advertising and marketing communication activities comply with the Nigerian Advertising Law and other relevant extant laws.

The Council particularly drew attention to the requirement for prior approval from the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) before any advertisement is exposed.

It warned that exposing unapproved advertisements on traditional or online media platforms constitutes an offence under Section 34(3) of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.

“Kindly note that exposure of unapproved advertisements on the traditional and/or online media platforms without prior approval of the Advertising Standards Panel is an offence,” the Council stated.

ARCON consequently advised all political parties, elective political office aspirants, political campaign organisations, advertising agencies and media owners to immediately cease and desist from exposing political advertisements without prior approval from the Advertising Standards Panel.

But beyond the warning, the regulator has also signalled a tougher enforcement approach as the political season progresses.

According to the Council, ARCON, in collaboration with other relevant law enforcement agencies, will commence a nationwide enforcement exercise aimed at removing political advertisements for which prior approval was not obtained before exposure.

The Council further disclosed that it would seek to prosecute any person or corporate body that sponsors, causes to be exposed, exposes or benefits from political advertising, advertisement or marketing communication without the approval of the Advertising Standards Panel.