Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged political parties in Lagos State to form a united front to protect voters from violence and intimidation during the 2027 general elections, while demanding greater transparency over the Federal Government’s ₦15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Falana warned that politicians who feared losing elections could resort to violence and thuggery to stop eligible voters from casting their ballots.
Speaking at a public event in a video shared by News Central TV on Monday, he urged candidates across party lines to work together to defend the electoral rights of all residents, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.
“Going by what happened during the last election, violence will be introduced. Many people will not be allowed to vote, unless you guys are ready to form, regardless of your political parties, a group that will defend the vote of everybody in Lagos,” he said.
Falana expressed concern that some residents could be targeted because they were perceived not to be Yoruba, warning that ethnic identity must not be used to deny citizens their voting rights.
“Those who cannot win elections resort to violence, thuggery, where you come from, that you don’t look like a Yoruba man, therefore you must not vote. In Lagos, in Nigeria, that must not be allowed,” he said.
He added that Nigerians had fought for democracy and should not allow political interests to determine who could participate in elections.
Beyond the electoral concerns, Falana questioned the estimated ₦15tn cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling on the Federal Government to explain how the funds allocated to the project would be spent.
He also raised concerns about reports of changes to the highway’s route, arguing that a project conceived as a coastal road appeared to be taking an inland route in some sections.
“The coastal road has now become land road,” he said, questioning the reported route changes and funding arrangements.
“Again, we must now ask questions: What are the ₦15tn earmarked for that road?”
The highway is a major infrastructure project of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, intended to link Lagos with Calabar in Cross River State along Nigeria’s southern coastline.
Falana said citizens must demand accountability from public officials, arguing that scrutiny was necessary to ensure those in government answered questions about public spending.
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