Illegality Persists in Ongoing 2027 Campaigns Asserted by Femi Falana
Falana Slams Ongoing 2027 Election Campaign as Illegal
Femi Falana, a renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has spoken out against the ongoing campaign for the 2027 general elections, labelling it as illegal and diversionary. Falana made this statement on Channels Television Programme, 'Politics Today' on Monday.
According to Falana, there is no provision yet for campaigning in Nigeria, and such activities are not part of the law. He believes that it is two years ahead of the election, and such activities are not permitted under the current legal framework in Nigeria.
The Electoral Act, 2022, which governs elections in Nigeria, restricts political campaigns to begin no earlier than 150 days before the polling day for an election and to end 24 hours before polling. Any campaigns or canvassing of votes conducted outside this timeframe are considered illegal under the Act.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not released the official timetable or schedule for the 2027 general elections. Consequently, no party primaries or candidate nominations have been conducted, and thus any campaign activity ahead of the legal campaign period is considered a violation of the Electoral Act.
Falana urges the INEC to draw the attention of politicians to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022. He suggests that those in power should consult with the people and confide in local governments known to the people.
Falana also questions the intention of those who want to replace those in power, asking for their solutions to the electricity crisis, education system issues, bad roads, and other national problems. He emphasizes the need to address the problems confronting the people of Nigeria.
Falana calls on the media to help Nigeria by taking politicians out of the cocoon of ethnicity, religion, and other primordial considerations when it's time to campaign. He believes that the media has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the election process is fair and transparent.
If the people in power want to amend the law regarding campaigning, Falana suggests that it should be done. However, in this particular instance, he did not suggest amending the law regarding campaigning in this paragraph.
Authorities and civil society groups have condemned such premature campaigns as illegal and detrimental to good governance, calling for stronger enforcement and tougher sanctions beyond the current penalty, which is seen as insufficient to deter violations.
- Femi Falana, a Nigerian legal figure, criticized the ongoing 2027 election campaigns on the grounds that they are illegal and distracting.
- Falana's comments were made on the 'Politics Today' programme on Channels Television, stressing that there is no allowance for campaigning in Nigeria's current legal framework.
- According to the Electoral Act, 2022, political campaigns in Nigeria can only begin 150 days before the election and must end 24 hours before polling, making any pre-election activities illegal.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet released the schedule for the 2027 general elections, meaning any campaign activity is in violation of the Electoral Act.
