Afam Osigwe
The Nigerian Bar Association has strongly criticised the growing involvement of courts in the internal affairs of political parties, warning that such actions directly violate provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
In a statement, the association stressed that Section 83 of the Act clearly bars Nigerian courts from assuming jurisdiction over intra-party disputes, describing the trend of judicial interference as both unlawful and dangerous to democratic stability.
The NBA noted that beyond stripping courts of jurisdiction in such matters, the law also expressly prohibits the granting of interim or interlocutory injunctions related to internal party issues.
According to the body, the persistence of such court orders despite clear legal restrictions raises serious concerns about adherence to statutory provisions and respect for the rule of law.
It warned that allowing courts to wade into party disputes could open the door to political manipulation, weaken democratic institutions, and erode public confidence in the judiciary.
The association therefore called for strict compliance with the Electoral Act, urging both legal practitioners and the courts to refrain from actions that could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.