Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has criticised early campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.
Falana spoke on Monday when he featured on Channels
Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme.
The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) asked the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to caution politicians against breaching
the Electoral Act, 2022.
“As far as the Electoral Act, 2022 is concerned, the ongoing
election campaign is illegal, totally illegal,” he said.
“It’s also diversionary, because what Nigerians expect now,
and what the law provides, is governance of the country without disruption.
“So it’s not time yet to campaign and I do hope that INEC
would draw the attention of politicians, including those in government, to
relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
“There is no provision yet. There is no room yet for
campaigning in Nigeria.
“Two years ahead of an election, it’s not part of our law.
If those in power want to amend the law, that should be done.
“The media must also help Nigerians by ensuring that when
the time for campaigns comes, politicians are taken out of the cocoon of
ethnicity, religion, and other primordial considerations.”
Falana said politicians must provide solutions to the
problems confronting the country.
“If you say you want to replace those in power, what is your
solution to the electricity crisis, the crisis in the education system, the bad
roads, and other problems confronting Nigeria?” he asked.
Falana added that those in government have a greater
responsibility to focus on governance and engage citizens before taking
decisions.
“When is the government going to govern the country? And
that is why the law has set out when election campaigns will start, when they
can end. It cannot be a business of four years,” he said.
The human rights lawyer said he would not join calls for
power rotation, describing them as “diversionary”.
“You insult Nigerians when you hand over the politics of the
country to a few people to decide who should govern, for how many years, which
side of the country or which religious group should rule,” he said.
“For goodness’ sake, can we address the problems confronting
the country and embrace those who have solutions?”
He cited some sections of the constitution requiring parties
to uphold state policy objectives, adding that government’s primary duty is
safeguarding citizens’ security and welfare.
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