Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has taken a swipe at the Nigerian Senate over its continued delay in passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, cautioning that the repeated postponements pose a serious threat to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
Falana made the remarks during an interview on Arise News on Sunday, where he voiced deep concern over the Senate’s decision to constitute another committee to re-examine the bill, despite the House of Representatives having passed it as far back as December 2025.
According to him, the move reflects a lack of genuine commitment to electoral reform.
He argued that the ongoing process was needless and appeared designed to maintain existing structures rather than confront urgent flaws within Nigeria’s electoral system.
“Clearly, from the conduct of both chambers of the National Assembly, it is very clear that the members simply want the status quo retained.
“This rigmarole is meant to give the impression to Nigerians that the proposed Electoral Act is being addressed,” Falana said.
The proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill is intended to implement far-reaching changes to Nigeria’s electoral process. Among its key provisions are the electronic transmission of election results, tougher punishments for vote-buying, the extension of voting rights to inmates, and penalties for party delegates who are financially induced to manipulate internal party conventions.
Falana maintained that these provisions are essential to fixing long-standing weaknesses in the electoral framework. He accused lawmakers of concentrating on amendments that are already covered under existing legislation while neglecting the enforcement mechanisms that would make electoral laws effective.
“We operate in an atmosphere of reckless impunity. The only politically important issue today is the gale of defections in Nigeria, yet the National Assembly focuses on time-wasting amendments,” he said.
The human rights lawyer also pointed out that several key reforms recommended years ago remain unimplemented, including the establishment of an electoral offences commission proposed in 2008. He stressed that the failure to institutionalise such reforms continues to undermine public confidence in elections.
Falana further emphasised the importance of explicitly enshrining electronic accreditation and result transmission into law, referencing disputes that arose from previous polls.
“Last election, we were subjected to a national disgrace when three leading presidential candidates claimed to have won. That election petition lasted 10 months. Why should it take two years to put these provisions in law?” Falana asked.
Beyond electoral matters, Falana weighed in on the prosecution of individuals accused of plotting military coups, insisting that constitutional provisions must be followed strictly. He stated that only the Federal High Court has the authority to hear treason-related cases under Nigeria’s democratic system.
“Under the current democratic dispensation, it is only the Federal High Court that is empowered, by virtue of Section 251(2) of the Constitution, to try treason and allied offences. The government must adhere to this law,” he said.
He also faulted the Lagos State Government’s approach to handling protests and demolitions, arguing that authorities frequently disregard due process and the rights of citizens. According to Falana, forced evictions without adequate notice or resettlement violate established legal protections.
“If the government wants to demolish, no problem. But you must discuss and place them in another location. Two, our people are entitled to the right to dignity and housing. Actions in the dead of the night using tear gas are not lawful,” Falana said, referencing court judgments that safeguard residents from unlawful displacement.
Falana went on to defend the rights of protesters, noting that open criticism of public officials is a cornerstone of democracy. He condemned the violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrators at Alausa, insisting that dissent must not be criminalised.
“Vulgar abuse cannot attract a defamatory action… criticism is indispensable in a democratic society,” he said.
He ended his remarks by calling on Nigerians and civil society organisations to actively demand accountability from lawmakers, warning that without sustained public pressure, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill may never be passed.
“Unless Nigerians are mobilised to pressure the National Assembly, the new electoral bill will not be passed. There is no indication that it will be passed unless we act,” Falana said.
What you should know
Femi Falana’s criticism highlights growing concerns over delays in Nigeria’s electoral reform process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Electoral Act Amendment Bill, already passed by the House of Representatives, contains key provisions aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and public trust in elections. Falana argues that the Senate’s repeated postponements risk weakening democratic institutions and repeating past electoral controversies.
His comments also extend beyond elections, touching on constitutional compliance in treason trials, citizens’ rights during protests and demolitions, and the broader need for government accountability. Civil society pressure, he insists, remains crucial to ensuring meaningful reform.
