ARCON Warns Politicians, Parties Against Unapproved Campaign Adverts, Threatens Prosecution
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has issued a stern warning to politicians, political parties, advertising agencies, media organisations, and political support groups, directing them to immediately stop the publication and dissemination of unapproved political advertisements or risk prosecution under the provisions of the ARCON Act.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the Director-General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, amid growing political activities and early campaign messaging ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
According to the Council, there has been a noticeable increase in the circulation of political advertisements across traditional and digital media platforms without the mandatory approval of the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), the statutory body responsible for vetting and clearing advertisements before public exposure.
ARCON said several of the advertisements brought to its attention were not only unapproved but also contained content that violated religious and ethnic provisions of the Nigerian Code of Advertising.
“As political campaign activities and voters’ education have commenced in earnest towards the next general election, politicians, political parties, advertisement agencies, political support groups and other stakeholders are enjoined to exercise caution and ensure that all advertising and marketing communication activities are conducted in alignment with the Nigerian Advertising Law and other relevant extant laws,” the statement said.
The Council reminded stakeholders that Section 34(3) of the ARCON Act criminalises the exposure of advertisements on both traditional and online media platforms without prior approval from the Advertising Standards Panel.
Fadolapo stressed that all political parties, aspirants seeking elective office, campaign organisations, advertising agencies and media space owners must immediately cease the publication of political advertisements that have not undergone the required regulatory clearance process.
In a move signalling tougher enforcement, ARCON announced plans to launch a nationwide operation, in collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies, to identify and remove all political advertisements exposed without prior approval.
The regulator also warned that violators would face legal consequences beyond the removal of such advertisements.
“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 Director-General stated.
The latest directive marks another assertive regulatory intervention by ARCON as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Earlier in February 2026, the Council challenged directives issued by signage and advertising agencies in Ondo and Enugu states requiring advertisers to submit political, gaming, lottery and brand advertisements for state-level vetting. ARCON declared the directives unlawful, maintaining that the regulation and approval of advertising content remain within its statutory mandate.
With electioneering gradually gathering momentum nationwide, the Council insists that compliance with advertising regulations is essential to maintaining professionalism, ethical standards and social harmony throughout the electoral process.
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