Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged religious institutions across the country to take an active role in protecting Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Falana made the call at the 25th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, themed “Democracy at the Crossroads: Electoral Credibility, Judicial Integrity and the Future of Nigeria,” held at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.
The senior lawyer said religious institutions could no longer afford to remain passive when government policies and decisions directly affect the welfare, rights and livelihoods of Nigerians.
He urged churches and other religious bodies to expand their focus beyond spiritual activities by paying greater attention to the management of public resources at the federal, state and local government levels.
Falana also called on religious institutions to scrutinise government budgets and monitor the implementation of projects and programmes funded with public money.
According to him, greater involvement by religious bodies and citizens would promote transparency, strengthen accountability and contribute to better governance.
“Democracy should not be reduced to the conduct of elections. Accountable leadership, effective public service, citizens’ welfare and security were also essential to a functioning democratic society,” Falana said.
He added: “Religious bodies should not sit on the fence but get up and save Nigeria’s democracy.”
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