Femi Falana SAN, Chair of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), has called for an immediate suspension of political campaigns in the country, citing the need for elected officials to focus on governance.
In a statement, Falana noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and national assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
Despite the elections being nearly ten months away, Falana expressed concern that some political parties have already commenced campaigns, celebrating defections by governors and legislators, while governance appears neglected.
“This premature abandonment of governance has directly contributed to widespread insecurity, including kidnapping, killings by terrorists and bandits, weak accountability, and deepening poverty,” Falana said.
He also highlighted that huge public funds are being spent on illegal campaigns, while many state governments, including authorities of the federal capital territory, have failed to pay counterpart funds needed to access a N98 billion matching grant from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Falana reminded political actors of Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which stipulates that public campaigning should only begin 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to the election.
He urged the INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the State Security Service (SSS) to enforce the law and halt all ongoing political campaigns.
“The governance of the country must take precedence over premature political celebrations,” Falana stressed.
