The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against what it described as the increasing involvement of courts and legal practitioners in internal political party disputes, saying the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Friday by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the association said it had been closely monitoring recent political and legal developments, particularly concerning the interpretation and application of provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to intra-party disputes.
The NBA expressed concern over what it called the “disturbing involvement” of lawyers and courts in the internal affairs of political parties, despite clear statutory provisions it said were designed to prevent judicial interference in such matters.
It cited Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said expressly restricts courts from entertaining suits relating to the internal affairs of political parties and further prohibits the granting of interim or interlocutory injunctions in such cases.
According to the association, the law also requires courts, where such cases are improperly filed, to suspend rulings until final judgment and ensure accelerated hearing, rather than issuing interim orders.
However, the NBA lamented that despite these provisions, lawyers continue to initiate actions before courts on intra-party disputes, while courts in some instances have proceeded to grant interim or interlocutory orders in clear contradiction of the statute.
It described the development as dangerous for democracy, warning that it encourages abuse of court processes, forum shopping, and politically motivated litigation aimed at securing undue advantage within political parties.
“The emerging trend of subverting the clear provisions of the Electoral Act and dragging courts into internal party disputes through disingenuous litigation, forum shopping, and malafide applications designed to secure undemocratic political advantage bodes no good for our democracy,” the statement said.
The NBA stressed that such practices, if not addressed, could undermine the intention of electoral reforms and weaken democratic competition by turning courts into instruments of political manipulation.
It reminded members of the legal profession that they are “ministers in the temple of justice” and must not allow themselves to be used as tools for partisan objectives.
According to the association, filing actions that seek to draw courts into matters where jurisdiction is expressly excluded constitutes professional misconduct and an abuse of judicial process.
The NBA warned that it would take firm disciplinary measures against erring lawyers, including the filing of petitions before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), to serve as a deterrent and preserve the integrity of the legal profession.
It also called on the judiciary to exercise restraint and resist being drawn into disputes that the law has explicitly placed outside judicial purview, urging judges to decline jurisdiction in such matters and adhere strictly to statutory provisions.
The association further urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to ensure accountability within the judiciary by sanctioning judicial officers who knowingly assume jurisdiction in matters barred by law or issue orders that facilitate political manipulation.
The NBA said such regulatory oversight was necessary to protect public confidence in the judiciary and safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
On the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the association urged the commission to maintain strict neutrality and avoid any actions that could be interpreted as political interference or bias in electoral processes.
It referenced INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), stating that his legal background places him in a strong position to ensure the commission adheres strictly to constitutional and democratic principles.
The NBA said it would continue to monitor developments closely and deploy all lawful mechanisms, including stakeholder engagement, advisory interventions, and strategic litigation, to protect the integrity of the justice and electoral systems.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the association warned that Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by legal manipulation, institutional capture, or misuse of judicial authority.
It added that electoral institutions must remain neutral arbiters, while courts must serve as impartial adjudicators rather than instruments of political advantage.
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