Femi Falana: Courts Should Not Decide Nigeria’s Election Winners

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has argued that Nigeria’s courts should not be allowed to determine election winners, warning that judicial involvement undermines the will of the people.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Sunrise Daily, Falana said the judiciary is not positioned to resolve challenges expected in the 2027 general elections.

“There is no indication yet that the Nigerian judiciary is positioned to address some of the challenges that may emanate with respect to some of the elections likely to take place in January and February next year,” he stated.

Falana insisted that the role of the judiciary must be extremely limited in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“We must stop the practice whereby the court determines the winners of the election in Nigeria,” he said.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and stakeholders to ensure credible elections free of irregularities, so that disputes do not end up in court.

Example from Osun State

Citing the Osun State governorship election, Falana said the outcome reflected the people’s choice and did not require judicial intervention.

“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 explained.

He warned against courts using technicalities to overturn popular mandates, saying such practices make a mockery of democracy.

Falana stressed that credible elections depend on the vigilance of INEC, the media, and citizens.

“We must start with the conduct of good elections so that our courts are limited in the democratic process,” he said.

He added that preventing fake results and ensuring transparency would reduce the number of cases brought before election tribunals.

With Nigeria’s next general elections scheduled for early 2027, Falana’s comments reflect growing concern about judicial influence in politics. His call places responsibility on INEC and civil society to safeguard electoral integrity and protect the people’s mandate.