Falana and Okonkwo Urge Nigerians for 2027 Election Credibility

At the 25th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in Lagos, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), called on eligible Nigerians to ensure the credibility of the 2027 general elections. They emphasized the importance of securing voter cards and defending votes against political manipulation.

Falana described Nigeria's democracy as a "mockery," citing instances of election rigging and vote-buying, particularly referencing the Osun State governorship election, where he alleged between ₦50 billion and ₦110 billion was spent on purchasing votes. He warned that per-vote payments could escalate to ₦100,000 by 2027 if unchecked.

Falana also criticized political parties for rigged primaries and urged anti-graft agencies and the judiciary to fulfill their responsibilities. He highlighted the socioeconomic issues exacerbated by government policies and stressed that only Nigerians can save their democracy, cautioning against reliance on foreign intervention.