The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON has cautioned politicians, political parties, support groups, advertising agencies and other stakeholders against exposing campaign advertisements without obtaining the required regulatory approval, warning that violators risk prosecution.
In a statement issued on June 16, 2026, the Council expressed concern over the growing number of political advertisements being circulated on traditional and digital media platforms without prior clearance from the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP).
ARCON said some of the advertisements already in circulation have been found to violate religious and ethnic guidelines contained in the Nigerian Code of Advertising.
The Council noted that as political campaigns and voter education activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, all stakeholders must ensure that their advertising and marketing communications comply with the provisions of the ARCON Act and other relevant laws.
According to the regulatory body, the exposure of advertisements without prior approval constitutes a violation of Section 34(3) of the ARCON Act.
“The attention of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria has been drawn to the activities of some politicians, political parties and support groups that engage in the exposure of unapproved adverts, some of which have been found to violate religious and ethnic guidelines and are against the provision of the Nigerian Code of Advertising,” the statement said.
ARCON specifically advised political parties, aspirants, campaign organisations, advertising agencies and media space owners to immediately desist from publishing or broadcasting political advertisements that have not been vetted and approved by the Advertising Standards Panel.
The Council further announced plans to commence a nationwide enforcement exercise, in collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies, to remove all political advertisements that were exposed without prior approval.
It warned that anyone found sponsoring, publishing, exposing or benefiting from unapproved political advertising would face legal consequences.
“ARCON will further seek to prosecute any person 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 stated.
The warning comes as political activities intensify across the country ahead of the 2027 elections, with various aspirants and support groups already deploying campaign materials across traditional and digital platforms.
ARCON reiterated its commitment to ensuring that political advertising remains lawful, ethical and free from content capable of promoting religious, ethnic or other divisive sentiments.
