Femi Falana Warns of Possible Voter Intimidation in Lagos Ahead of 2027 Elections

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Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged political candidates in Lagos State to work together to protect eligible voters ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that violence and intimidation could prevent some residents from exercising their voting rights.

Falana said candidates should put aside party differences and defend the votes of all eligible Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations or ethnic backgrounds. He also raised questions about the reported ₦15 trillion cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling for greater accountability over public spending.

Quick Takeaways

Femi Falana warns that violence could affect voting in Lagos during the 2027 general elections.
He urges candidates across political parties to cooperate in protecting eligible voters.
The lawyer condemns attempts to deny people voting rights because of their appearance or perceived ethnicity.
He questions the reported ₦15 trillion cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and raises concerns about its route.
Falana says Nigerians should demand explanations from public officials about how public funds are spent.

Falana Urges Candidates to Protect Voters in Lagos

Speaking at a public event, Falana warned that politicians who fear losing elections could resort to violence and thuggery to obstruct voting. His remarks were contained in a video shared by News Central TV.

He called on candidates from different political parties to form a united front to protect the votes of eligible residents during the 2027 elections.

“Going by what happened during the last election, violence will be introduced,” Falana said, urging candidates to organise themselves to defend the voting rights of everyone in Lagos.

His warning focused on the need for candidates to prioritise the protection of voters rather than allow political competition to undermine participation in the electoral process.

Falana Condemns Ethnic Discrimination at Polling

The lawyer also criticised attempts to prevent people from voting because of their appearance or perceived ethnic identity.

He argued that eligible Nigerians should not be excluded from elections on the basis of where they come from or whether they fit a particular ethnic identity.

“We didn’t fight for this rickety democracy, that somebody will look at your face: ‘Oh, you should not vote in this country,’” he said.

Falana appealed to candidates to defend the rights of all eligible voters, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation.

He warned that denying people the opportunity to vote because they do not appear to belong to a particular ethnic group would be unacceptable in Lagos or elsewhere in Nigeria.

The remarks underscore his call for candidates to work together to prevent intimidation and protect participation in the electoral process. His comments are a warning about possible electoral risks, rather than confirmation that such incidents will occur during the 2027 elections.

Falana Questions ₦15 Trillion Lagos-Calabar Highway Cost

Beyond the election warning, Falana raised concerns about the reported ₦15 trillion estimated cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

He questioned how the funds allocated for the project would be spent and called for greater scrutiny of the government’s infrastructure expenditure.

“The road, coastal road has now become land road, I’m sure you are aware,” Falana said, referring to reports of changes to the highway’s route.

He also suggested that funding difficulties could explain the reported route change, although the supplied account does not independently establish that explanation.

“What I’m saying is that, after Ogun State, they now said they are going from Edo to go by land, because they can’t fund it. Again, we must now ask questions: What are the 15 trillion naira earmarked for that road?” he said.

Falana’s remarks raise questions about the project’s reported cost, route and financing. However, the statements provided do not establish how much of the estimated cost has already been spent or confirm that funding challenges are the reason for the reported route changes.

Why Falana Wants Greater Accountability Over Public Funds

Falana said Nigerians should continue to question public officials about how government funds are allocated and spent.

“And that is the only way we can get these people to be accountable,” he said.

His comments connect the highway controversy to a broader demand for transparency in public expenditure. Questions about a major infrastructure project’s estimated cost and route can be examined through relevant contract information, expenditure records and official explanations.

The supplied account, however, does not include a response from the Federal Government or project officials addressing the concerns he raised.

Background: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a major infrastructure project of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It is designed to connect Lagos with Calabar in Cross River State along Nigeria’s southern coastline.

The project has attracted public debate over its estimated cost, route and funding. The source article puts the projected cost at approximately ₦15 trillion upon completion.

Falana’s comments have brought these issues into the same public discussion as his warning about voter protection, although the highway concerns and the electoral warning remain separate matters.

Conclusion: Voter Protection and Public Accountability

Falana’s remarks focus on two issues: safeguarding eligible voters ahead of the 2027 general elections and demanding transparency over the reported cost and route of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

His appeal to political candidates is that party differences should not prevent them from protecting voters against intimidation or ethnic discrimination. On infrastructure spending, he argues that Nigerians should continue asking public officials to explain how public funds are used.

The concerns he raised place the emphasis on electoral participation and government accountability, while further official information would be needed to clarify the highway’s route and financing.