2027: Falana cautions against early campaigns, cites rising insecurity

Falana

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called for the immediate suspension of ongoing political campaigns, warning that premature politicking is undermining governance and worsening insecurity across the country.

Falana’s position follows the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls.

Despite the timeline placing elections about 10 months away, Falana lamented that political parties and elected officials had already intensified campaigns, sidelining governance and public service delivery.

In a statement on Wednesday, Falana said, “It is common knowledge that some political parties have commenced political campaigns even though elections will not hold until 10 months’ time.

“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 alleged neglect of governance to worsening insecurity, citing rising cases of kidnapping and killings across various parts of the country.

Nigeria has, in recent years, grappled with persistent security challenges, including banditry in the North-West, insurgency in the North-East, and rising urban crime, all of which have strained public confidence in government institutions. Punch