The presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, has directed the immediate suspension of campaigns for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Adesina in a statement said, this order has become necessary to avoid breaching the rules of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to INEC time-table, party primaries for the presidential, governorship, federal and state elections would begin on August 18 and end on October 7, 2018, while that of the FCT area council elections will commence on September 4 to end on October 27, 2018.
The campaigns by political parties for presidential election would begin November 18, while that for the national assembly elections would start December 1.
The statement reads;
“It has been observed that some fervent supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari have begun what may be interpreted as political campaigns in their advocacies and advertisements in the mass media,” the statement read.
“We appreciate their enthusiasm, borne out of desire to garner support for an administration that is actuated by nothing else, other than service for the motherland, but we hereby appeal for patience, so that the game can be played according to the rules.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a timetable for political campaigns, and we urge committed supporters round the country (and beyond) to be mindful of such. There will be ample time ahead to trumpet the good works of the Buhari administration, and solicit re-election, all for the good of our country and her people.
“While a chronicle of the achievements of the administration is in order now, outright canvasing may amount to jumping the gun. We are an administration committed to due process and scrupulous respect for rules, law, and order.
“We appreciate our massive supporters nationwide, and urge them to exercise restraint till the race commences officially as stipulated by law.”
However, supporters are free to publicize the various achievements of the Buhari administration, he said.
