Falana To INEC: Stop Illegal Early 2027 Campaigns, Focus Should Be On Governance

Prominent human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has expressed concern over the premature commencement of political campaigns for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a television interview on Monday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remind political figures of the legal boundaries defined in the Electoral Act 2022.

“As far as the Electoral Act, 2022 is concerned, the ongoing election campaign is illegal, totally illegal,” he said.

“It’s also diversionary, because what Nigerians expect now, and what the law provides, is governance of the country without disruption.”

He stressed that this is not a campaign season and that political actors — including those holding office — should adhere strictly to the law.

“So it’s not time yet to campaign and I do hope that INEC would draw the attention of politicians, including those in government, to relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

“There is no provision yet. There is no room yet for campaigning in Nigeria.

“Two years ahead of an election, it’s not part of our law. If those in power want to amend the law, that should be done.”

He also urged the media to resist narratives that center campaigns around ethnic or religious sentiments.

“The media must also help Nigerians by ensuring that when the time for campaigns comes, politicians are taken out of the cocoon of ethnicity, religion, and other primordial considerations.”

According to him, those seeking leadership must come forward with practical strategies to tackle national issues such as poor electricity, failing infrastructure, and an underperforming education system.

“If you say you want to replace those in power, what is your solution to the electricity crisis, the crisis in the education system, the bad roads, and other problems confronting Nigeria?” he asked.

Falana noted that public officeholders should concentrate on leading the country effectively and responsibly, rather than turning the entire term into an extended campaign cycle.

“When is the government going to govern the country? And that is why the law has set out when election campaigns will start, when they can end. It cannot be a business of four years,” he said.

Addressing ongoing discussions about power rotation, he dismissed them as distractions from the real issues at hand.

“You insult Nigerians when you hand over the politics of the country to a few people to decide who should govern, for how many years, which side of the country or which religious group should rule,” he said.

“For goodness’ sake, can we address the problems confronting the country and embrace those who have solutions?”

He concluded by referencing constitutional provisions that emphasize the state’s duty to prioritize citizens’ welfare and security above all else.