April 1 2026

According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on key government institutions to take action against what he described as early political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He directed his appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services, urging them to enforce existing laws that regulate campaign activities in the country.

Falana made his position known in a statement issued in his capacity as Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond.

In the statement, he expressed concern that several political parties and actors had already begun campaign activities despite the fact that the official election period had not yet commenced.

He noted that such actions are not consistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, which outlines the timeframe within which campaigns are permitted.

The development follows the announcement by the electoral commission, which fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.

These dates have provided a clear timeline for political parties and candidates to prepare for the polls.

However, Falana pointed out that campaign activities appear to have started well ahead of the legally approved period, raising concerns about compliance with electoral regulations.

He observed that political activities have increasingly taken priority over governance in many parts of the country.

According to his remarks, the attention of some public office holders has shifted toward political manoeuvring, including defections by governors and lawmakers, as well as early mobilisation efforts by parties.

This situation, he suggested, has affected the focus on policy implementation and public service delivery.

Falana also highlighted the broader implications of the growing emphasis on political activity.

He stated that when governance is overshadowed by political interests, it can contribute to challenges such as insecurity, reduced accountability, and economic hardship.

These concerns reflect ongoing debates about the balance between political engagement and effective governance, particularly in a period leading up to national elections.

He said, “The governance of the country has since been abandoned for the celebration of defection by elected governors and legislators as well as other forms of political campaigns.

Naija news channel