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 2027 general elections.

Falana gave the charge 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.

According to him, religious institutions could no longer afford to remain passive when government decisions directly affected the lives, welfare and rights of their members and other Nigerians.

The senior lawyer stated that churches should look beyond spiritual activities and pay closer attention to how public resources are managed at the federal, state and local government levels.

He further charged religious bodies to scrutinise government budgets and monitor the implementation of projects and programmes funded with public money, saying such involvement would help strengthen accountability and good 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.

“Religious bodies should not sit on the fence but get up and save Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.