By Muhammad Mamman
Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has lambasted the political elite for fixating on a single-term presidency debate, branding it a deliberate distraction from Nigeria’s urgent crises. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Falana took aim at politicians pushing a four-year single term as a calculated manoeuvre ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I won’t be dragged into this campaign for power shifts or keeping power in one region for four or eight years. It’s utterly diversionary,” Falana declared. He urged leaders to focus on tackling Nigeria’s pressing challenges—rampant insecurity, unreliable electricity, and widespread hunger—rather than engaging in divisive political games.
“You insult Nigerians when you reduce the country’s politics to a handful of elites deciding who governs, for how long, and from which region or religion,” Falana said. “For heaven’s sake, let’s confront the real issues and back those with solutions.”
Citing the Constitution, Falana stressed that Section 224 mandates political parties to prioritise the state’s fundamental objectives, while Section 14 declares the security and welfare of citizens as the government’s primary duty. “Without reliable electricity, industrialisation is a pipe dream,” he warned, calling for urgent action over political posturing.
