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The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has condemned the courts’ interference in the internal affairs of political parties.
Osigwe’s remarks come as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faces an ongoing legal battle that has plunged the party into a leadership crisis. Two members are claiming leadership of the party and demanding recognition as the party’s national chairman.
Nafiu Bala, who leads one faction, pursued the matter in court. The Court of Appeal ordered both parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, meaning to return to how things were before the problem or dispute arose.
Following this ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discontinued the recognition of former Senate President David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC and removed his name and other members of the NWC from its portal.
OUR LAWS AND DEMOCRACY MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL TIMES
The Nigerian Bar Association @NigBarAssoc has closely monitored recent political and legal developments as the nation gradually approaches the 2027 General Elections. These developments, particularly those arising from the… pic.twitter.com/jcFAOjcVkF
— AFAM OSIGWE (@afamosigwe) April 10, 2026
In a statement issued on Friday, Osigwe said Nigerian courts do not have jurisdiction over a party’s internal affairs, adding that this contravenes the Electoral Act.
“We particularly deprecate the disturbing involvement by lawyers and courts in the internal affairs of political parties despite the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which stipulates in Section 83 of the Act that ‘No court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party’,” said Osigwe.
He added that these violations endanger Nigerian democracy, adding that lawyers and courts risk “transforming the judicial process into avenues for political score-settling or electoral manipulation”.
“This does not augur well for our democracy. Democracy will not thrive in a situation where lawyers and courts take actions and decisions that not only negate our laws but also do violence to them,” he added.
He also warned lawyers to desist from the practice. Osigwe said lawyers who continue to flout the provisions of the Electoral Act risk disciplinary actions.
“The NBA will take firm steps to deter such conduct. 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,” the NBA President added.
“We will not hesitate to present petitions before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against any Legal Practitioner found to be engaging in such conduct. This will be pursued decisively to serve as a deterrent and to preserve the sanctity of the judicial process.”
