The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has cautioned lawyers and courts against involvement in the internal affairs of political parties, warning that such actions could undermine the democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday, the association said it had observed a growing trend of litigation aimed at drawing courts into intra-party disputes, despite statutory provisions limiting judicial intervention in such matters.
The statement, signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN), noted that recent political and legal developments linked to the interpretation of the Electoral Act 2022 raise serious constitutional and rule-of-law concerns.
According to the NBA, Section 83 of the Electoral Act restricts courts from entertaining suits relating to the internal affairs of political parties.
The association also stressed that the law prohibits courts from granting interim or interlocutory injunctions in such disputes.
It quoted the provision stating that where such actions are filed, courts should suspend ruling on interim applications and instead deliver decisions at the stage of final judgment while giving accelerated hearing to the matter.
The NBA expressed concern that some courts have continued to entertain such cases, occasionally issuing orders affecting party leadership contests and governance structures. It further accused some lawyers of engaging in forum shopping and filing what it described as mala fide applications to secure favourable judicial orders in political disputes.
