Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has condemned the All Progressives Congress’s use of consensus in governorship primaries, particularly in Ogun State, calling it “extortion” and “plutocracy” that undermines Nigeria’s democratic foundation. Speaking at the 8th Penpushing Annual Lecture held on Thursday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Falana emphasized that electoral integrity begins with transparent and inclusive party primaries. The event, themed “Restoring Electoral Integrity: The Path to Good Governance and Public Accountability,” brought together legal experts, civil society leaders, and political observers to discuss challenges facing Nigeria’s democratic system.
Falana stressed that the current practice of consensus in party primaries violates the fundamental right of party members to freely choose their candidates. While the Electoral Act permits both direct and consensus methods, he argued that the latter often excludes ordinary members and favors wealthy elites. “Please, let us stop deceiving ourselves. If you are going to talk about electoral integrity, you must start with the primaries,” he said, urging political parties to uphold democratic principles within their structures.
He also raised concerns about the increasing threats to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, warning that the deregistration of political parties and the exclusion of others from elections could lead to a political crisis. Citing historical patterns across Africa, Falana noted that political exclusion often breeds undemocratic forces that erode democratic institutions. “Political exclusion has historically encouraged undemocratic forces to undermine democratic institutions across Africa,” he said, calling for inclusive political participation.
Falana further criticized the commercialisation of Nigerian politics, referencing allegations by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede that some governorship aspirants spent between ₦20 billion and ₦30 billion during primary elections. He questioned the source of such enormous sums, suggesting they likely came from illicit means. “If you are spending between ₦20 billion and ₦30 billion on a primary election, how much are you going to spend in the real election?” he asked, highlighting the danger of unchecked financial influence in politics.
He concluded by calling for urgent reforms to strengthen internal party democracy, curb the monetisation of politics, and safeguard Nigeria’s democratic process. Falana’s remarks underscore the growing need for systemic changes to ensure fair, transparent, and accountable elections. As Nigeria approaches critical electoral cycles, his warnings serve as a reminder that the health of democracy depends on the integrity of every stage of the electoral process.
Leave a Comment