By Woke Joshua
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, some senior advocates of Nigeria have called on the politicians across the country to ensure that electioneering activities are conducted in accordance with the constitutional provisions and electoral laws.
A cross-section of the senior legal practitioners spoke to newsmen at a prayer session to mark the opening and dedication of a new law firm by Mr Johnson Usman, SAN, in Abuja at the weekend.
They said political parties and their members should abide by the guidelines of the parties and the Electoral Act, 2026, to avoid unnecessary litigations after the general elections.
Abdul Mohammed, SAN, urged members of the political class to display maturity and engage in issue-based campaigns before, during and after the election.
"We want a peaceful transition, a peaceful election. And as such, we will want politicians to play by the rules.
He said any conduct that could hinder a peaceful, free and fair election should be shunned.
"When the President of Ghana was speaking at the UN General Assenbly, he prided Ghana to be one of the oldest, sustained democratic setup in Africa"
He said Nigeria also should be able to show the world that it had come of age by ensuring a peaceful transition.
"They should understand that it is the choice of the electorate that matters.
"So there should be no do-or-die affairs in the campaign that is going on," he said.
Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, corroborated that politics should be played according to the rules and politicians should ensure that rule of law is supreme in all that they do.
"Politicians should allow the people decide who leads us in this country.
"We don't want political imposition either at the party, state or national level," he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja Branch, Yakubu Philemon, SAN, called on all the stakeholders in the conduct of election to play their part fairly.
"As lawyers, we encourage them to first of all look at the fact that the position they are contesting for is to go and serve the people, it's a position of service.
"Therefore, their campaigns should not be about individuals, they should not go personal.
"They should concentrate on the issues; what are the problems and what are the solutions they can proffer to solve these problems?
"And by that, when a man loses election in that kind of circumstances, then, there will be no need for him to file a case in court.
"Also, it is important for the regulator of the election, INEC, to be transparent, free and fair such that when a man loses, he will accept defeat," he said.
The lawyers congratulated their colleague on the new office edifice.
According to Mohammed, I rejoice with J.J. Usman, SAN, on the opening of his office, a purpose-built office.
"In fact, you can call it a research centre; it has a very rich library, several meeting rooms and it shows how much senior advocates invest in the practice of law," he said.
Okutepa described the building as "fantastic."
The senior lawyer urged Usman to continue the good work he is doing.
"He should continue to uphold the integrity of the profession. He should continue to be honest man, dedicated and hard working and the sky will be his starting point."
Philemon congratulated Usman for achieving the feat.
"Having opened this office, we want to encourage him to continue to open up a space for our younger colleagues to be mentored.
"Let the office be a platform for mentorship and the office to signify that more excellence is expected of him," he charged.
For Chief Mrs Wendy Kuku, SAN, "anybody who puts God first and backs it up with hard work and resilience, this is only the result.
"Learner silk, J.J. Usman, has been resilient, he's been so hard working and he is a God fearing man.
"So in all honesty, I am not even shocked because this is long time coming, it's been a long time coming and we give all glory and thanks to the Almighty God and his amiable wife for the prayers and support"