The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a stern warning against the increasing trend of judicial intervention in the internal affairs of political parties, describing it as a fundamental threat to the nation’s democratic stability. In a formal statement released on Friday, 10 April 2026, the association’s leadership expressed deep concern over the "judicialisation of politics," where courts are frequently drawn into deciding matters of party leadership and candidate selection.
NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, who signed the communiqué, emphasised that such interference undermines the principle of party autonomy. He argued that political parties are voluntary associations that should be governed by their own constitutions rather than constant judicial oversight. According to reports from Premium Times, Osigwe noted that the trend of "forum shopping"—where litigants seek out favourable judges in jurisdictions far removed from the actual dispute—has reached an alarming level that mocks the legal profession.
"The courts must resist the temptation to act as the administrative arms of political parties," the statement read. Osigwe further cautioned that the integrity of the judiciary is at stake when conflicting orders are issued by courts of coordinate jurisdiction on the same subject matter. He insisted that such occurrences erode public confidence in the temple of justice and create a state of legal uncertainty that hampers the electoral process.
To curb this trend, the NBA has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to identify and sanction judges who grant frivolous ex-parte motions in political cases. The President also warned legal practitioners that those found facilitating the abuse of court processes would face the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. The statement concluded with a call for political parties to strengthen their internal dispute resolution mechanisms to prevent unnecessary litigation as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
The association’s position aligns with long-standing concerns voiced by senior legal experts. Legal analyst and human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, previously told The Punch that the "domestic affairs" of a party should remain outside the purview of the courts unless there is a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution or the Electoral Act.