• The NBA warned lawyers and courts against meddling in political party disputes ahead of the 2027 elections
• The association cited the Electoral Act 2022 as restricting judicial involvement in internal party affairs
• NBA raised concern over increasing litigation aimed at influencing party leadership battles and threatened disciplinary action through the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong warning to both legal practitioners and the judiciary, cautioning against interference in the internal affairs of political parties as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Friday, April 10, and signed by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the association expressed concern over what it described as a rising trend of litigation aimed at pulling courts into intra-party disputes.

According to the NBA, such actions persist despite clear provisions in the Electoral Act 2022 that limit judicial involvement in party matters.

The association specifically referenced Section 83 of the Act, which bars courts from entertaining cases relating to the internal workings of political parties.

It further stressed that the law prohibits courts from granting interim or interlocutory injunctions in such disputes.

The statement read in part, “Where any action is brought in negation of this provision, no interim or interlocutory injunction shall be entertained by the Court, but the Court shall suspend its ruling and deliver it at the stage of final judgment and shall give accelerated hearing to the matter.”

Despite this, the NBA lamented that courts have continued to hear such cases and, in some instances, issued orders affecting party leadership tussles and internal governance.

The association also accused some lawyers of deliberately exploiting legal loopholes through forum shopping and filing what it termed “mala fide applications” to secure favourable rulings.

“This emerging trend of subverting the clear letters of the Electoral Act and dragging courts into the internal affairs of political parties through disingenuous litigation, forum shopping, and mala fide applications designed to secure undemocratic political advantage does no good for our democracy,” the statement said.

The NBA warned that if unchecked, such practices could transform court processes into tools for political manipulation, thereby weakening democratic structures.

Reinforcing the purpose of the law, the association noted that the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act were designed to curb abuse of judicial processes and safeguard internal party democracy.

It also reminded lawyers of their ethical obligations, warning against acting as political agents.

“The filing of actions intended to draw courts into internal political party disputes, particularly where jurisdiction is expressly excluded, constitutes an abuse of court process and a violation of professional responsibility,” it said.

The association warned that it would not hesitate to sanction erring practitioners, adding that offenders risk disciplinary proceedings.

“Lawyers who deliberately file actions aimed at procuring judicial interference in intra-party affairs, or who seek ex parte or interlocutory orders in clear violation of statutory provisions, risk facing disciplinary proceedings,” it added.

To enforce compliance, the NBA said it would petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee where necessary to uphold professional standards.

The body also called on the judiciary to exercise caution and resist politically motivated attempts to involve the courts in restricted matters.

“Courts should firmly decline invitations, no matter how artfully crafted, to intervene in matters the law explicitly bars them from,” it stated.

Additionally, the NBA urged the National Judicial Council to take disciplinary action against judges who assume jurisdiction in prohibited cases or issue orders that contradict statutory provisions.

The association further advised the Independent National Electoral Commission to remain neutral and avoid any actions that could be interpreted as political interference.

“The Commission must not, under any circumstances, be perceived as a participant in political engineering or as an institution whose regulatory authority is deployed in a manner that weakens political pluralism,” the statement said.

Reaffirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law, the NBA stressed that both the judiciary and electoral bodies must operate strictly within constitutional boundaries to protect Nigeria’s democracy.

NBA President calls for stronger legal cooperation between Nigeria, Liberia

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, called for deeper legal collaboration between Nigeria and Liberia, emphasising the critical role legal professionals play in strengthening justice systems across West Africa.

Delivering goodwill on behalf of Nigeria’s legal community, Osigwe conveyed “warm goodwill and solidarity from the Nigerian legal community to the Bench and Bar of Liberia.”

He described the commencement of the court’s new term as an important institutional tradition that reflects the judiciary’s enduring commitment to justice, the rule of law and democratic governance.