The Advertising Standard Panel (ASP) Secretariat has been dissolved by the Federal Government following its approval of billboards that were perceived as attempting to influence the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal with the message: ‘All Eyes On The Election Tribunal Judges.’
Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), announced the dissolution and temporary suspension of the Director and Deputy Director of Regulations responsible for overseeing the matter.
Fadolapo acknowledged that although some of the advertisements were not authorized by the ASP, an error occurred in approving one concept that did not adhere to vetting guidelines. The ARCON DG outlined reasons for disallowing the specific advertisement, citing its focus on a subject before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (sub judice), its potential to incite unrest, and its perceived attempt to manipulate the Nigerian Judiciary.
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The Director-General of ARCON outlined the reason behind the disapproval of the particular advertisement in the following statement:
“The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has been made aware of the ‘All Eyes On The Election Tribunal Judges’ advertisements displayed on certain billboards across the country. These concepts were not endorsed by the Advertising Standards Panel, resulting in the Council’s directive to immediately remove all such materials and take appropriate action against the violators.
The Advertising Standards Panel made an error in approving one of the concepts, which failed to adhere to the vetting guidelines due to the following reasons: The campaign’s central theme in the advertisement pertains to a matter that is currently before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, rendering it sub judice. As per the Nigerian legal system, issues that are sub judice and awaiting judicial decisions are prohibited from being subjects of public statements, debates, discussions, advertisements, and the like. The advertisement is contentious and has the potential to incite public unrest and disrupt public peace. The advertisement is viewed as an attempt to manipulate the Nigerian Judiciary, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, and specifically the Justices of the Tribunal, who are expected to fulfill their judicial responsibilities impartially in relation to a matter that is currently sub judice.”
To investigate the circumstances surrounding the erroneous approval and breach of guidelines, a committee will be established, and the suspended Director and Deputy Director of Regulations will undergo impartial investigation. Consequently, the ASP Secretariat has been dissolved due to its failure to effectively fulfill its role as the guardian of advertising, advertisements, and marketing communications.
