2027: ARCON Warns Politicians Against Unapproved Campaign Advertisements

By Peter Emmanuel |

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has warned politicians, political parties, campaign organisations and other stakeholders against exposing political advertisements without prior approval as campaign activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

ARCON said some politicians, political parties, support groups, advertising agencies and media owners have been exposing unapproved advertisements, some of which allegedly violate religious and ethical guidelines and provisions of the Nigerian Code of Advertising.

The council urged all stakeholders involved in political advertising to exercise caution and ensure that their advertising and marketing communication activities comply with the Nigerian Advertising Law and other relevant laws.

The warning was contained in a statement dated August 31, 2026, signed by ARCON Director-General, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, as the council raised concerns over the growing exposure of political advertisements across traditional and online media platforms.

ARCON said compliance with the law was particularly important as political campaign activities gather momentum, warning that stakeholders who disregard the approval requirements could face enforcement action and prosecution.

ARCON Cautions Politicians, Parties and Media Owners Over Unapproved Ads

The council specifically advised 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.

ARCON said the approval requirement applies to advertisements exposed on both traditional and online media platforms. It stressed that political advertisers must obtain the necessary approval before any campaign advertisement is published or broadcast.

The council said some of the advertisements brought to its attention had been found to violate religious and ethical guidelines as well as provisions of the Nigerian Code of Advertising.

It urged politicians and other stakeholders to ensure that campaign messages comply with existing advertising regulations and do not breach applicable laws.

ARCON said adherence to the regulations would help ensure that political advertising is conducted responsibly as parties, candidates and support groups increase their campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

Unapproved Political Advertisements Attract Legal Penalties

ARCON said exposing an advertisement 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 warned that the provision applies to advertisements exposed through traditional media as well as online platforms. Political advertisers are therefore required to secure approval before exposing their campaign advertisements.

ARCON said political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and other stakeholders should not assume that advertisements published online are exempt from regulatory requirements.

The council urged media owners and advertising agencies to ensure that political advertisements submitted for publication or broadcast have obtained the required approval before exposure.

It said compliance with the approval process was necessary to prevent violations and ensure that political advertising activities remain within the boundaries of the law.

ARCON Begins Nationwide Enforcement, Threatens Prosecution

ARCON announced that it would collaborate with relevant law enforcement agencies to commence a nationwide enforcement exercise targeting political advertisements exposed without the required prior approval.

The council said the enforcement exercise would involve the removal of political advertisements for which approval from the Advertising Standards Panel was not obtained before exposure.

ARCON further warned 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 required approval.

The council urged all political advertisers and media stakeholders to comply immediately with the approval requirements to avoid enforcement action and possible legal proceedings.

ARCON said the warning was intended to ensure compliance with Nigeria’s advertising laws as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that all stakeholders must exercise caution in their campaign and marketing communication activities.