NBA warns courts against interfering in political parties' internal affairs
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against increasing judicial interference in political parties' internal affairs, stating that such actions violate the Electoral Act 2026. In a statement signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, the association condemned lawyers who file suits inviting courts to make pronouncements on party matters, calling this practice a threat to democracy.
The NBA specifically cited Section 83 of the Electoral Act, which explicitly states: "No court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party." The provision also prohibits courts from granting interim injunctions in such cases, yet NBA claims some courts are allegedly disregarding these statutory limitations.
This warning comes amid ongoing leadership disputes in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where a Court of Appeal ruling led INEC to de-recognize party leadership factions. The ADC crisis has escalated to the point where the party risks exclusion from the 2027 elections if it cannot resolve internal conflicts before upcoming INEC deadlines for candidate selection. With Nigeria approaching the 2027 general elections, this judicial overreach could potentially transform legal processes into tools for political manipulation.