2027: Falana Asks INEC, Security Agencies To Stop Early Campaigns

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to halt all political campaigns for the 2027 elections.

Falana warned that the ongoing campaigns by political parties pose a risk to governance and encourage criminal activities.

The legal luminary, in a statement issued and signed by him, cited Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides that political campaign activities must begin 150 days before voting day and end 24 hours before voting day.

He pointed out that INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027.

Falana noted that, despite the elections being about 10 months away, several parties have already begun campaigns, diverting attention from governance and increasing protests and rallies.

He warned that this situation worsens insecurity, including kidnappings and killings by terrorists and bandits, and undermines accountability, while also contributing to poverty.

He stated, “It is sad to note that while huge public funds are wasted on illegal political campaigns, the authorities of the federal capital territory and the majority of the states have refused to pay counterpart funds to access the matching grant of N98 billion in the account of the Universal Basic Education Commission.”

Falana called on INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the State Security Service to rigorously enforce the law. “We are compelled to call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service to halt further political campaigns in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.”