Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has declared the ongoing electioneering campaigns for the 2027 general elections as illegal and diversionary, arguing that they distract from the urgent need for good governance.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Falana called on the federal and state governments to prioritize the welfare of Nigeria’s poorest citizens. He emphasized that the nation’s focus should be on implementing social investment programs to address the multidimensional poverty affecting over 133 million Nigerians.
Falana cited Section 224 of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, which prescribe specific timelines for election campaigns. He asserted that politicking two years before the 2027 elections is unlawful. “It’s totally illegal and diversionary. Nigerians expect governance without distraction,” he stated, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce these provisions.
He criticized politicians for focusing on power struggles instead of addressing urgent issues like electricity, education, and infrastructure. “We must elevate the discourse to address the problems confronting Nigerians, not ethnicity or religion,” he added, dismissing power rotation debates as insulting to the populace.
Reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s directive to APC governors to “wet the ground” for citizens, Falana argued that mere appeals are insufficient. He highlighted the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act of 2023, which mandates funding for programs like N-Power, conditional cash transfers, youth entrepreneurship, and the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme.
However, he criticized the government’s proposed allocation of ₦32.7 billion for 2025 as “grossly inadequate” for the 133 million multidimensionally poor Nigerians. Falana proposed a minimum budget of ₦5 trillion for these initiatives, recommending the involvement of trade unions and credible civil society organizations to ensure transparency and prevent mismanagement.
He cited a successful legal action that compelled state governments to access ₦145 billion in Universal Basic Education (UBE) funds, reducing the outstanding balance to ₦40 billion. This, he said, was to address the 18.3 million out-of-school children reported by UNICEF.
Falana also referenced other existing laws, such as the National Housing Fund Act and the National Health Insurance Act, urging their enforcement to provide affordable housing and healthcare. “We’re not pleading for palliatives. These are legal rights,” he stressed.
He raised concerns over the lack of accountability by state governors, noting that increased allocations following the removal of fuel subsidy have not translated into tangible benefits. He called on Nigerians to demand transparency in the utilization of these funds and hailed the Supreme Court’s ruling on direct funding for local governments as a step in the right direction.
“We must mount pressure on state and local governments, not just the federal government,” he stated, criticizing neoliberal policies that worsen income inequality, such as privatization and excessive remuneration for public officials.
Falana’s remarks come amid heightened political activity across the country. In Rivers State, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike defended the upcoming local government elections as constitutional, citing the state of emergency and President Tinubu’s authority to suspend parts of the Electoral Act. He also declared the PDP’s internal crisis resolved and dismissed coalition talks with Peter Obi as driven by Obi’s failure to clinch the PDP presidential ticket.
In Niger State, the APC caucus endorsed President Tinubu and Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for second terms, while in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo promised 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in 2027, citing people-oriented projects. Meanwhile, the PDP in Borno distanced itself from coalition talks and reaffirmed loyalty to the party’s national leadership.
Falana warned that such premature politicking risks undermining governance. “If you want power, tell Nigerians how you’ll solve the electricity, education, and infrastructure crises,” he said, citing Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone’s decriminalization of free expression as models Nigeria should emulate.
“History of Rivers State Judiciary: A Compendium of Personalities on the Bench.” Authored by Ampim Gogo Blankson, Esq., Deputy Director at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Rivers State Judiciary 💰 Cover Price: ₦20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) Bukky Law Books, Rivers State High Court Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt – 📞 08034868754📞 08034729738📞 Enquiries ______________________________________________________________________ Law Practice Kit (Second Edition) And Legal Luminaries Series 2 Unveiled 
Authored by Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, LL.M, Notary Public Law Practice Kit (Second Edition) and Legal Luminaries Series 2 📚 For Enquiries and Orders, Contact: 📞 08055476823, 📞 08164683735, 📞 08033855230 _____________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials 
