{
  "id": 5779206,
  "title": "2027: Don’t sit on the fence – Falana urges religious bodies to save Nigeria’s democracy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/2027-dont-sit-on-the-fence-falana-urges-religious-bodies-to-save",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T12:51:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/05/2027-dont-sit-on-the-fence-falana-urges-religious-bodies-to-save-nigerias-democracy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, urged religious bodies not to remain inactive as Nigeria prepares for 2027 general elections. This call came during the 25th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture held at MUSON Centre in Lagos. Falana argued that religious institutions must take a more active role in ensuring the credibility of elections and the integrity of the judiciary. He emphasized that churches must go beyond spiritual activities and pay close attention to the management of public resources at all levels of government. Falana urged religious bodies to scrutinize government budgets and monitor the implementation of projects and programs funded by public money. He stressed that such involvement would enhance accountability and good governance. Falana concluded that democracy is about more than just elections; it also encompasses accountable leadership, effective public service, citizens' welfare, and security. He reiterated, \"Religious bodies should not sit on the fence but get up and save Nigeria’s democracy.\"",
  "summary": "Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has challenged religious bodies not to sit on the fence but to get up and save Nigeria’s democracy as the nation prepares for the the 2027 general elections. Falana gave the charge at the 25th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, themed, ‘Democracy at the Crossroads: Electoral Credibility, Judicial Integrity and […] 2027: Don’t sit on the fence – Falana urges…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}