NBA Warns Lawyers, Courts Against Interfering in Political Party Disputes

NBA Warns Lawyers, Courts Against Interfering in Political Party Disputes

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned lawyers and the judiciary against involvement in political party disputes in Nigeria, cautioning that continued court interference in intra-party matters could undermine democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Friday by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN), the association expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of litigation dragging courts into internal party conflicts, despite clear restrictions under the Electoral Act 2022.

The NBA said recent political developments show an increasing misuse of the courts to settle internal party leadership and candidate selection disputes, warning that such actions raise serious constitutional and rule-of-law concerns.

According to the association, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act prohibit courts from interfering in the internal affairs of political parties, except in limited circumstances provided by law. It also stressed that the law restricts the granting of interim or interlocutory injunctions in such cases.

The NBA quoted parts of the law to emphasize that courts are expected to avoid premature intervention and instead allow cases to proceed to accelerated hearing and final judgment where necessary.

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Despite these provisions, the association lamented that some courts have continued to entertain such cases, issuing orders that affect party leadership structures and internal governance decisions.

The NBA also accused some lawyers of engaging in forum shopping and filing what it described as mala fide applications aimed at securing favourable judicial outcomes in politically sensitive matters.

It warned that such practices amount to an abuse of court process and a breach of professional ethics, stressing that lawyers must not act as political actors in pursuit of partisan advantage.

The association further stated that any legal practitioner found guilty of deliberately filing politically motivated suits or seeking ex parte orders in violation of statutory provisions risks disciplinary action before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

NBA President Afam Osigwe urged lawyers to uphold professional integrity and avoid being used as instruments of political manipulation, especially in matters where jurisdiction is clearly excluded by law.

The association also called on courts to exercise restraint and reject invitations to intervene in disputes that the law expressly bars them from adjudicating, warning that judicial involvement in such matters could weaken public confidence in the judiciary.

It further urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to sanction judicial officers who assume jurisdiction in prohibited cases or issue orders contrary to electoral laws.

The NBA also advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and avoid actions that could be perceived as interference in internal party politics, stressing the importance of institutional neutrality in preserving democratic credibility.

According to the association, the increasing reliance on courts to resolve internal party conflicts risks turning the judiciary into a political battleground and undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rule of law and ensuring that all stakeholders operate strictly within constitutional boundaries as the country approaches the 2027 elections in Nigeria.

NBA Warns Lawyers, Courts Against Interfering in Political Party Disputes