2027: Premature Campaigns Illegal — Falana

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticised the early commencement of political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election, calling it illegal and a distraction from governance.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Falana urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to caution politicians and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

“As far as the Electoral Act, 2022 is concerned, the ongoing election campaign is illegal, totally illegal,” Falana 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 it is not yet time for political campaigns and advised INEC to remind politicians, especially those in power, of 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.”

Falana also called on the media to play a responsible role in shaping political discourse and pushing politicians to focus on real solutions rather than 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.”

He challenged those seeking public office to present tangible plans for addressing Nigeria’s pressing issues.

“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?”

Falana further stated that those in office have a greater responsibility to govern rather than spend the entire term preparing for the next election.

“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.”

On the issue of power rotation, the human rights lawyer dismissed such debates as a distraction from more important national conversations.

“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.

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

He also referenced sections of the constitution that mandate political parties to uphold state policy objectives, adding that the government’s primary duty remains ensuring the security and welfare of the people.