Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer Femi Falana has faulted the Nigerian Senate over repeated delays in passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, warning that the actions of lawmakers could undermine the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
Falana raised the concerns during a televised interview on Sunday, reacting to the Senate’s decision to constitute another committee to review the bill, despite its passage by the House of Representatives in December 2025.
He described the move as unnecessary and indicative of an attempt to maintain the existing electoral framework rather than implement long-overdue reforms.
“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 amendment seeks to overhaul key aspects of Nigeria’s electoral process, including electronic transmission of results, tougher penalties for vote-buying, voting rights for inmates, and sanctions for financial inducement of party delegates.
According to Falana, these provisions address fundamental weaknesses in the electoral system, which lawmakers have consistently failed to confront.
“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 legal practitioner recalled that critical recommendations, such as the creation of an electoral offences commission proposed as far back as 2008, remain unimplemented. He stressed the urgency of clearly codifying electronic accreditation and result transmission to avoid disputes witnessed in previous elections.
“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 reforms, Falana also weighed in on national legal issues, including the trial of alleged military coup plotters. He insisted that, under Nigeria’s Constitution, only the Federal High Court has jurisdiction over treason-related offences.
“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 further criticised the Lagos State Government over the handling of protests and demolitions, arguing that due process and fundamental rights are often disregarded.
“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 rulings protecting citizens from unlawful displacement.
Falana also defended the right to peaceful protest and free expression, stressing that criticism of public officials is essential in a democracy.
“Vulgar abuse cannot attract a defamatory action… criticism is indispensable in a democratic society,” he said, while condemning the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters at Alausa.
He concluded by calling on Nigerians and civil society organisations to pressure lawmakers into action, warning that continued public apathy could stall the bill indefinitely.
“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.
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