Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer Femi Falana has said Nigeria’s democracy cannot be considered genuine while elections are shaped by financial influence instead of the people’s choices, warning that the country is approaching a crucial test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Falana made the statement on Saturday while presenting a paper titled 2027: Building A Nation Where No Man Is Oppressed at an event held in memory of the late Chief Alao Aka Bashorun, renowned for his commitment to constitutional democracy and civil liberties.
“A democracy in which citizens doubt the effectiveness of their votes cannot fully achieve democratic legitimacy. Having conceded that members of the ruling class have exclusive right to govern the society, we talk of ‘one man, one vote,’” Falana said.
“The slogan is completely meaningless in a country where the votes are purchased by money bags.”
“The struggle against military rule was not merely about political freedom. It was also about creating conditions under which citizens could enjoy economic dignity. Political liberty without economic justice is incomplete,” he said.
The senior lawyer maintained that although Nigeria has consistently held elections since returning to democratic rule, their credibility has remained under persistent scrutiny.
“Although elections are regularly conducted, concerns about electoral credibility persist,” he said. “Allegations of vote-buying, manipulation of electoral processes, abuse of incumbency and post-election controversies continue to undermine public confidence.”
Falana argued that the campaign against military dictatorship was intended not only to secure political freedoms but also to ensure economic wellbeing for citizens, an objective he believes remains largely unrealised.
“Political liberty without economic justice is incomplete,” he said. “According to the senior lawyer, “For millions of Nigerians, democracy has not yet translated into improved living standards. The persistence of poverty amidst enormous national wealth raises fundamental questions about governance and distributive justice. Economic growth that benefits only a small segment of society cannot sustain democratic stability.”
He also criticised what he described as the growing lack of accountability in public office, saying many elected officials now view political positions primarily as opportunities for private gain rather than public service.
“Unfortunately, many Nigerians increasingly perceive political power as an avenue for personal enrichment rather than public service,” he said, adding that regulatory agencies, security institutions and democratic structures were routinely deployed in ways that undermined public confidence.
Falana urged Nigerians to make greater use of the Freedom of Information Act to hold public officials accountable. He also called for the 2027 elections to mark the beginning of a renewed commitment to constitutional governance rather than simply another electoral exercise.
“The greatest mistake we can make is to assume that the objectives of the June 12 struggle have been fully achieved,” he warned. “The reality is that many of the aspirations that inspired the struggle remain unrealised or unfulfilled.”
