Falana APC consensus primaries criticised by Femi Falana as a threat to democracy, with calls for transparent party elections and reforms
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its use of consensus arrangements for governorship primaries, warning that the practice could weaken Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
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Speaking at the 8th Penpushing Annual Lecture themed “Restoring Electoral Integrity: The Path to Good Governance and Public Accountability,” Falana described consensus-based selections as a form of “plutocracy” and “extortion” that limits the ability of party members to freely choose their representatives.
Falana argued that electoral integrity begins within political parties, stressing that credible general elections cannot be achieved without transparent and competitive primary processes.
“Please, let us stop deceiving ourselves. If you are going to talk about electoral integrity, you must start with the primaries,” he said.
The senior lawyer noted that although the Electoral Act recognises direct and consensus methods for selecting candidates, party members must not be denied the opportunity to participate meaningfully in decisions that shape political leadership.
His comments followed concerns surrounding the APC’s consensus approach to governorship primaries, particularly in Ogun State, where critics have questioned the openness of the process.
Beyond the APC consensus primaries debate, Falana also expressed concern over what he described as increasing threats to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, warning that political exclusion could create instability.
“Political exclusion has historically encouraged undemocratic forces to undermine democratic institutions across Africa,” he said.
Falana urged political leaders to avoid actions that could restrict participation or weaken opposition voices, arguing that a healthy democracy requires space for different political interests.
The legal icon also raised concerns about the growing cost of political contests in Nigeria, referencing comments by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who alleged that some governorship aspirants spent between ₦20 billion and ₦30 billion during party primaries.
“If you are spending between ₦20 billion and ₦30 billion on a primary election, how much are you going to spend in the real election?” Falana asked.
He argued that such massive spending raises questions about the sources of campaign financing and creates conditions that encourage corruption and political inequality.
Falana called for urgent reforms to strengthen internal party democracy, reduce the influence of money in politics and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
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He maintained that transparent candidate selection processes remain essential to building accountable leadership and protecting the country’s democratic future.
