Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has warned that rising insecurity, deepening poverty and increasing restrictions on freedom of expression pose serious threats to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Falana gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the maiden Annual Memorial Lecture in honour of the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), who supervised the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The event, organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in partnership with the Professor Humphrey Nwosu Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, brought together legal experts, civil society organisations, academics and democracy advocates to assess the state of electoral integrity in Nigeria.
Speaking on the theme, “Electoral Integrity and the Future of Credible Elections in Nigeria,” Falana stressed that insecurity and shrinking civic space are eroding the foundations required for free, fair and transparent elections.
He argued that democracy cannot flourish in an environment where citizens live in fear and are unable to freely express their views without intimidation.
According to him, the continued activities of kidnappers, terrorists and bandits across the country raise concerns about Nigeria’s ability to conduct credible elections in the future. He noted that many citizens remain vulnerable and warned that widespread insecurity could discourage voter participation and weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
Falana also criticised what he described as growing attacks on free speech, warning that democratic gains achieved through years of struggle must not be undermined. He expressed concern that critics of government policies increasingly face the risk of prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act, describing the trend as a threat to democratic governance.
Paying tribute to the late Professor Nwosu, Falana praised his courage and commitment to democratic principles despite pressure from the military during the transition programme of the early 1990s. He recalled that many pro-democracy activists had become convinced before the June 12 election that the military government of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, was unwilling to relinquish power, yet Nwosu remained determined to conduct the election.
He urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable and reject politics driven by ethnic and religious divisions, stressing that competence, integrity and the capacity to address national challenges should guide voters’ choices.
Chairman of the occasion and retired Supreme Court Justice, Abdul Aboki, described Nwosu as a key figure in Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying his legacy continues to inspire efforts to strengthen electoral integrity.
Aboki emphasised that credible elections are fundamental to citizens’ rights and democratic governance, noting that they must be conducted without intimidation, coercion or manipulation. He called on political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, the media and citizens to work collectively to protect the integrity of future elections.
Earlier, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), said the memorial lecture was established to preserve and promote the democratic ideals championed by Professor Nwosu. He noted that the event also honours the sacrifices of democracy activists and organisations that fought for constitutional rule, electoral justice and the protection of political rights.
Ojukwu maintained that credible elections, freedom of expression, civic participation, accountability and respect for the rule of law remain essential pillars of democratic governance.
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