Falana Demands Halt to Early Campaigns as INEC Shifts 2027 Polls
Senior Advocate Femi Falana has demanded an immediate suspension of political campaigns nationwide, accusing politicians of abandoning governance for electioneering 10 months before the 2027 polls. Falana, Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), says this neglect has fueled kidnapping, terrorist killings, weak accountability, and deepening poverty. He noted parties are already campaigning despite Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits campaigning until 150 days before election day.
Falana urged INEC, police, and DSS to enforce the law, warning that public funds meant for development—like the N98 billion UBEC matching grant—are being wasted on illegal campaigns. His statement underscores the tension between political activity and governance at a time when Nigerians face security and economic crises.
Meanwhile, INEC has revised the 2027 election timetable to avoid Ramadan and comply with the new Electoral Act. Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections are set for February 6, 2027. Party primaries run from April 23 to May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential elections may legally begin August 19, 2026, and governorship campaigns from September 9, 2026.
The shifts give parties less time for campaigns and bring polls forward by about a month. INEC warns it will strictly enforce all timelines.
Given that campaigns are already underway despite the legal ban, will you pressure parties to comply or accept early politicking as the new norm? Should citizens prioritize demanding accountability over election excitement?