Rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana warned that there is no sign Nigerians are prepared for the general election set to begin on Saturday, February 25. Speaking on Arise TV, Falana highlighted concerns over the scarcity of naira, the resulting hardships, and the country’s security situation, stating that “there is no indication” that people are ready for the vote. He argued that assurances of security should come from the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not from the nation’s military.
“The Chief of Defence Staff has no business with respect to our election,” Falana said. “We are under a democratic system of government, and it should be the IGP who speaks about security, because it is the police, under the law, who will man the polling units. The armed forces are only asked to stand by.” He urged that the country operate under a civilian dispensation, with the military returning to its barracks, and emphasized that the INEC chair should be the one addressing election logistics.
Falana noted that INEC has claimed it needs cash for logistical support, but questioned whether the funds have been released. He pointed out that even the armed forces and the National Security Adviser have spoken about how cash scarcity hampers counter‑insurgency efforts, and that addressing these financial issues is essential for the masses to feel secure and ready to vote. “We must be ready, and all these matters have to be taken seriously,” he concluded.
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