The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), has announced a nationwide clampdown on unapproved political advertisements in a notice tagged ‘Notice of Nationwide Enforcement of Unapproved Political Advertisements,’ made available to The Industry Newspaper today.
ARCON in the statement said, ARCON is established by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022 has observed with concern the increasing spate of exposure of unapproved political advertisements ahead of the 2023 General Elections on all media platforms.
Exposure of unapproved advertisements without prior approval of the advertising standards panel is an offence under section34(3) of the Act, the apex advertising regulator stated.
According to ARCON, “All political parties, elective political office aspirants, political campaign organisations, advertisement agencies and media space owners are hereby advised to immediately cease and desist from exposing political advertisements without prior approval of the advertising standards panel as required by the Act.”
In view of the above, Director General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo said “ARCON , with other relevant law enforcement agencies of the federal Government, will form Friday 9th December, 2022 commence a nationwide enforcement exercise to remove every political advertisement for which approval was not given prior to exposure.
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.”
All political and advertisement stakeholders are enjoined to take note.
