Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged Nigerian authorities to suspend political campaigns nationwide, warning that the early focus on elections is undermining governance and worsening insecurity across the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Falana, who chairs the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), said several political parties have already begun campaign activities, including public celebrations of defections by governors and legislators, even though the 2027 general elections are still months away.
He cautioned that this early preoccupation with politics has led to a neglect of governance, contributing to rising insecurity, kidnappings, and attacks by terrorists, bandits, and other armed groups.
Falana also linked weak accountability and worsening poverty to the diversion of attention from public administration.
READ ALSO: Falana Knocks Lagos Sanitation Movement Restriction Policy
Highlighting fiscal concerns, Falana said many state governments and the Federal Capital Territory Administration have failed to provide counterpart funding required to access approximately ₦98 billion in matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission, funds critical for supporting basic education.
Falana reminded political parties that Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act stipulates that public campaigning can only start 150 days before polling day and must end 24 hours prior to the election.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services to enforce the law and halt ongoing early campaigns to restore focus on governance and public welfare.
This warning underscores the urgency of rebalancing political ambition with administrative responsibility, particularly as the nation approaches the 2027 elections.