Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has strongly condemned the ongoing political campaigns for the 2027 general elections, describing them as both illegal and premature. The human rights lawyer emphasized that such early campaigning violates Nigeria's Electoral Act and distracts from governance priorities.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV's Politics Today on Tuesday, Falana called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take action against politicians, including state governors, who have already begun election-related activities nearly two years before the scheduled polls.
"As far as the 2027 elections are concerned, the ongoing political campaigns are totally illegal. They are also diversionary because what Nigerians expect now and what the law provides for is governance, not distraction," Falana stated during the interview.
The renowned lawyer clarified that Nigeria's current legal framework does not accommodate such early electioneering activities. "There's no provision yet in the law for campaigns two years before an election. It's not part of our legal framework," he explained.
Falana urged INEC to enforce the provisions of the Electoral Act and ensure politicians adhere to the stipulated timelines for campaigning. He also called on media organizations to uphold their responsibility in maintaining the rule of law by holding politicians accountable for premature campaigning.
"If those in power want to amend the law to allow early campaigns, that process should be followed. But until then, everyone must respect the law," Falana added, emphasizing the importance of following proper legislative procedures for any changes to electoral regulations.
The timing of Falana's comments comes as political maneuvering for the 2027 elections appears to be intensifying across the country, with various political figures already positioning themselves for potential candidacies despite being only in the first half of the current administration's term.
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