The Nigerian Bar Association has raised serious concerns over what it described as growing abuse of legal processes in Nigeria’s political space, warning lawyers and courts against вмешling in the internal affairs of political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its President, Afam Osigwe, the association said recent developments surrounding the interpretation and application of the Electoral Act 2026 pose a threat to constitutional order, democracy, and the rule of law.
“The Nigerian Bar Association has closely monitored recent political and legal developments as the nation gradually approaches the 2027 General Elections. These developments… raise serious constitutional, democratic, and rule-of-law concerns that require immediate intervention,” Osigwe stated.
The NBA specifically criticised what it described as the increasing involvement of lawyers and courts in intra-party disputes, despite clear legal provisions barring such actions.
“We particularly deprecate the disturbing involvement by lawyers and courts in the internal affairs of political parties… Section 83 of the Act stipulates that ‘No court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party,’” he said.
He further warned that courts are not only restricted from hearing such cases but are also prohibited from granting interim or interlocutory injunctions in matters that violate the Act.
“What we now see are situations where actions are not only instituted in courts by lawyers in clear violation of the Act, but courts purportedly grant interim and/or interlocutory injunctions in clear contempt of statutory provisions of the law. This does not augur well for our democracy,” Osigwe added.
The NBA described the trend as dangerous, warning that continued misuse of judicial processes could turn courts into tools for political manipulation.
“This emerging trend… of dragging courts into the internal affairs of political parties through disingenuous litigation, forum shopping, and malafide applications… bodes no good for our democracy,” the statement read.
Reaffirming its stance, the association cautioned legal practitioners against abusing court processes for political gains, stressing that such conduct amounts to professional misconduct.
“Members of the Bar are reminded that they are Ministers in the Temple of Justice and not political agents seeking judicial endorsement of partisan objectives,” Osigwe said.
He warned that the NBA would not hesitate to sanction erring lawyers.
“Lawyers who deliberately file actions aimed at procuring judicial interference in intra-party affairs… risk facing disciplinary proceedings. We will not hesitate to present petitions before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC),” he stated.
The NBA also called on the judiciary to resist political pressure and strictly adhere to the law.
“The Nigerian judiciary must stay vigilant and resist being drawn into political theatrics. Courts should firmly decline invitations… to intervene in matters the law explicitly bars them from,” he said.
Additionally, the association urged the National Judicial Council to sanction judges who assume jurisdiction in prohibited cases or grant orders contrary to statutory provisions.
Turning to electoral oversight, the NBA called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to maintain neutrality and uphold democratic principles.
“The Commission must not, under any circumstances, be perceived as a participant in political engineering… The Bar is closely watching the conduct of the Commission,” Osigwe warned.
He concluded by reaffirming the NBA’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy through lawful means.
“Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by legal maneuvering, institutional capture, or the misuse of judicial authority. The courts must remain arbiters of justice, not instruments of political advantage,” he said.
