Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Bar Association has raised concerns over recent legal and political developments as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, warning that emerging trends in electoral litigation and judicial involvement in internal party disputes could undermine constitutional order, democratic stability, and the rule of law if not urgently addressed.
In a strongly worded position, the association said it has been monitoring cases arising from the interpretation and application of provisions attributed to the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to jurisdiction over political party affairs, which it says are increasingly being invoked in ways that could distort legislative intent and encourage abuse of court processes by political actors seeking advantage through litigation.
The NBA expressed particular concern over what it described as the increasing involvement of lawyers and courts in disputes arising from the internal affairs of political parties, insisting that such matters are clearly regulated by statutory provisions designed to limit judicial interference and preserve party autonomy, except in strictly defined circumstances recognized by law.
It referenced provisions of the electoral framework which, according to its statement, restrict courts from entertaining suits relating to internal party affairs and further caution against the granting of interim or interlocutory relief in such cases, arguing that these safeguards were introduced to prevent forum shopping, political manipulation of judicial processes, and destabilization of party structures through premature court orders.
The association warned that despite these safeguards, there have been increasing instances where litigants institute actions it considers to be in clear disregard of the law, while some courts are alleged to have granted interim orders in circumstances that, according to the NBA, may conflict with statutory restrictions, a development it says poses serious risks to democratic governance and institutional credibility.
It further argued that such practices, if left unchecked, could transform the judiciary into an arena for political contestation rather than a neutral arbiter of disputes, thereby weakening public confidence in the justice system and encouraging the use of litigation as a strategic tool for political engineering rather than the resolution of genuine legal grievances.
The NBA emphasized that the intention behind the relevant statutory provisions was to curb abuse of court processes, discourage forum shopping, and ensure that political parties retain internal mechanisms for resolving disputes, subject only to limited judicial oversight where expressly permitted by law, adding that any deviation from this framework threatens democratic competition.
Members of the legal profession were also reminded of their ethical obligations, with the association describing lawyers as ministers in the temple of justice who must not allow themselves to be used as instruments of partisan political maneuvering, warning that filing actions designed to trigger judicial intervention in excluded matters may constitute professional misconduct.
The NBA stated that it would not hesitate to activate disciplinary mechanisms against legal practitioners found to be engaging in what it termed abusive litigation practices, including petitions to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee in order to safeguard the integrity of the profession and preserve public trust in the legal system.
It also called on the judiciary to exercise caution and restraint in electoral and political party disputes, urging courts to strictly adhere to jurisdictional limits imposed by law and resist pressure or creative litigation strategies aimed at drawing them into matters the legislature has expressly placed outside their purview.
The association further warned that the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process depends on strict adherence to constitutional and statutory boundaries, noting that any erosion of these boundaries ahead of the 2027 elections could heighten political tensions, increase post-election litigation, and weaken institutional stability, while also creating conditions for prolonged disputes that may affect governance continuity and public confidence in democratic institutions across the country.
While acknowledging the essential role of the judiciary in safeguarding democracy, the NBA stressed that judicial intervention must always be guided by jurisdictional competence and legislative intent, insisting that courts must not be seen as arenas for political validation or instruments of electoral advantage, but rather as impartial interpreters of the law whose authority derives from strict adherence to constitutional principles and statutory limits.
The statement concluded with a call for all stakeholders, including political parties, legal practitioners, and judicial officers, to act with restraint, uphold the law, and prioritize national democratic stability over partisan or personal interests as the country approaches another critical electoral cycle.
Reaffirming its position, the association emphasized that the rule of law remains the cornerstone of democratic governance, warning that any deviation from established legal boundaries risks undermining public trust in institutions and weakening the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
We therefore urge the judiciary to exercise heightened vigilance in electoral matters and to ensure strict compliance with jurisdictional limits as provided by law, while also encouraging legal practitioners to adhere strictly to professional ethics and avoid filing frivolous or politically motivated applications that could distort the course of justice.
The association noted that sustained respect for constitutional order is essential for the preservation of peace and stability in Nigeria’s evolving democracy, adding that the judiciary must remain independent yet cautious in order to avoid being drawn into partisan conflicts that could erode its authority and public confidence.
We call on all actors within the political and legal space to recognize that the strength of Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on the existence of laws but also on the willingness of institutions and individuals to respect and faithfully apply them, especially during sensitive electoral periods when political competition intensifies and the risk of institutional overreach becomes more pronounced.
Ultimately the association stressed that safeguarding democracy requires collective responsibility and unwavering commitment to the principles of legality due process and institutional restraint which together form the foundation of credible governance and sustainable national development.
We therefore reiterate that all stakeholders must work together to ensure that electoral disputes are resolved strictly within the confines of the law so that Nigeria’s democratic journey remains stable credible and forward looking as the 2027 elections approach the nation.
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