Popular Nigerian rapper and activist, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz, has stated that if he finds any politician he can trust 100 per cent, he will support the fellow.
He explained that he has never publicly backed any politician or political party, saying that his advocacy has always been directed at encouraging Nigerians to actively participate in elections.
The entertainer reportedly made the clarification during a discussion on the need for greater civic participation in the run-up to future elections.
Falz said he had always encouraged Nigerians to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote but had never openly campaigned or endorsed any politician or political party.
“His main concern, he said, was to ensure that Nigerians participate in the democratic process and make their choices known through the ballot box.
“Just a point of clarification: I have never, at any point in 2023 or any other time, publicly endorsed any politician or political party. “I have only been encouraging people to go out to vote and make their intentions known,” he said.
The rapper explained that his position had always been informed by his desire to see Nigeria develop a stronger democracy through credible elections and increased voter participation.
He said that Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their leaders without any manipulation or interference.
“What I am clamouring for is a free and fair democratic process, that people should be allowed to express their intentions and go out to vote. “These, I think, are very important to strengthen our democracy in this country,” he added.
Over the years, Falz has been vocal on social and political issues in Nigeria, especially on issues concerning good governance, accountability, human rights and electoral participation.
But he said he had intentionally avoided publicly linking himself to any politician due to his concerns about the country’s political system.
‘Same Crop Of People Keep Shuffling’
Falz said he had remained cautious because, in his opinion, the political class in Nigeria had been recycling itself, with mostly the same set of people moving from one political position to another.
He said this had made it impossible for him to endorse any politician publicly unless he was completely convinced that the person could bring about meaningful change.
“I’ve never really stuck my neck out for any politician for obvious reasons. We are kind of going in circles, and it’s like the same group of people we keep swapping in and out … it’s almost like the same crop of people.” “It’s difficult, at the end of the day, to sit down anywhere and say ‘I can vouch for a Nigerian politician in 2026,’” he said.
The rapper has not closed the door on possibly endorsing a candidate in the future, though.
He said he could change his mind if he met a politician whose character, competence and vision convinced him beyond doubt.
“If I see someone that I feel 100 per cent is the one, maybe I would. But as it is, I am just trying to be careful. “I’m trying not to put anybody on a limb,” he added.
Falz also disagreed with the idea that some Nigerians hold that their votes do not count in elections.
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He said the huge amount of money politicians allegedly spent to influence voters showed the importance of votes to politicians.
“You got vote-buying if it didn’t matter,” he said.
The rapper advised Nigerians, especially the youth to keep faith in the electoral process and not allow frustration to discourage them from voting.
He said more engagement could make it harder for politicians to rig elections.
The activist also called for the full implementation of live electronic transmission of election results to improve transparency and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
He queried why the country has not fully embraced real time transmission of results despite the huge sum of money pumped into conducting elections.
He said technology should be used to minimise the possibilities of manipulation and make the electoral process more transparent.
The experience of the 2023 elections should serve as a lesson for Nigerians in future elections, Falz said.
He said the emphasis should be on the need for a significantly higher voter turnout, adding that a massive show at the polling units could make electoral fraud more difficult.
The rapper said, “if there is an overwhelming majority, it would be very difficult for them to cheat that.
