Tuesday August 5, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has condemned the ongoing political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election, describing them as illegal, diversionary, and a breach of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Speaking in an interview, Falana called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to caution politicians who are already engaging in premature electioneering, in violation of existing electoral laws.
“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. 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.”
He insisted that the law does not permit campaigns two years ahead of a general election, and any such activity must be halted unless the law is amended.
“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,” Falana said.
The prominent lawyer also called on the media to resist amplifying identity-based political rhetoric, urging a focus on issues instead.
“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.”
Falana stressed that politicians, whether in government or opposition, must prioritise addressing the country’s challenges over engaging in premature politicking.
“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.
He further reminded those in power that governance—not campaigning—must be their immediate focus, in line with the law.
“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.
Rejecting ongoing conversations around zoning and power rotation, Falana described such calls as a distraction from Nigeria’s real issues.
“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 reminding political parties and public officials of their constitutional obligations, including adherence to national policy objectives and the protection of citizens’ welfare and security.
