By Editor
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged the immediate suspension of ongoing political campaigns, warning that early electioneering is undermining governance and worsening insecurity across the country.
Falana’s statement follows the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which set January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls.
Despite elections being about 10 months away, Falana lamented that political parties and some elected officials have already intensified campaigns, sidelining public service delivery and governance.
“It is common knowledge that some political parties have commenced political campaigns even though elections will not hold until 10 months’ time,” he said. “The governance of the country has since been abandoned for the celebration of defections by elected governors and legislators, as well as other forms of political campaigns.”
The senior lawyer linked the neglect of governance to worsening insecurity, pointing to rising cases of kidnapping, killings, and other violent crimes across the nation.
Nigeria continues to face security challenges, including banditry in the North-West, insurgency in the North-East, and growing urban crime, which have strained public confidence in government institutions.
Falana also criticised the misplacement of priorities by political actors, highlighting that public funds are being spent on what he described as “illegal campaigns” instead of critical sectors like education.
“It is sad to note that while huge public funds are wasted on illegal political campaigns, authorities in the Federal Capital Territory and most states have refused to pay counterpart funds required to access the N98 billion matching grant of the Universal Basic Education Commission,” he said.
He reminded political parties of the legal campaign timeline under the Electoral Act. “Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, clearly provides that the period of campaigning shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day,” Falana noted.
He called on INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the State Security Service to enforce compliance with the law. “We are compelled to call on the relevant authorities to halt further political campaigns in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act,” he added.
Political analysts warn that early campaigning has become a recurring feature in Nigeria, often blurring the line between governance and electioneering. They caution that prolonged political distractions could further delay critical reforms in security, education, and economic management ahead of the 2027 polls.