Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called for a major rethink of the judiciary’s role in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Falana argued that courts should not become the institutions responsible for determining winners of elections, stressing that electoral outcomes should primarily reflect the choices made by voters at the ballot box.
Speaking during a television interview, the legal practitioner said excessive judicial intervention in electoral matters could undermine citizens’ confidence in democracy.
“For me, the first matter to address is the role of the judiciary in the electoral process in Nigeria. We must stop the practice whereby the court determines the winners of the election in Nigeria,” Falana said.
He maintained that judges should not rely on technicalities to overturn the decision of voters after a properly conducted election. According to him, the responsibility of conducting credible elections rests largely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders.
Falana cited the recent Osun State governorship election as an example, arguing that the election should not end up in prolonged litigation if the voters’ decision is clear.
“We just had an election in Osun State; forget all the shortcomings, at the end of the day, the beauty of it will be that the governorship election will not go to court because the people have decided,” he said.
The lawyer’s comments come amid growing attention to the role of courts in Nigeria’s electoral disputes. Previous elections have seen candidates challenge results through election tribunals and appellate courts, sometimes resulting in judicial decisions that alter electoral outcomes.
Falana’s position has therefore renewed debate over electoral reforms, the credibility of elections and the balance between judicial oversight and voters’ sovereignty.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, he urged INEC, political parties, the media and citizens to work towards ensuring transparent and credible polls that accurately reflect the choices of Nigerians.
The comments are particularly significant as political activities intensify ahead of the next general election, with stakeholders already focused on preventing disputes and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
