Politics
NBA Cautions Lawyers Against Involvement in Political Party Disputes
The association cited Section 83 of the Electoral Act, which it said restricts courts from entertaining suits relating to the internal affairs of political parties, warning that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Photo: NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN) | Credit: NBA (X).
The President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN) on Friday cautioned lawyers and courts against involvement in the internal affairs of political parties.
The association cited Section 83 of the Electoral Act, which it said restricts courts from entertaining suits relating to the internal affairs of political parties, warning that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Osigwe, in a statement said that the NBA had observed a growing trend of litigation aimed at drawing courts into intra-party disputes, despite clear statutory provisions limiting judicial intervention in such matters.
Osigwe emphasised that the recent political and legal developments arising from the interpretation of the Electoral Act 2022 raise serious constitutional and rule-of-law concerns.
Osigwe further noted that the law also prohibits courts from granting interim or interlocutory injunctions in such disputes.
The statement read in part, “Where any action is brought in negation of this provision, no interim or interlocutory injunction shall be entertained by the Court, but the Court shall suspend its ruling and deliver it at the stage of final judgment and shall give accelerated hearing to the matter.”
The NBA expressed concern that, contrary to these provisions, courts have continued to entertain such cases, sometimes issuing orders that affect party leadership contests and internal governance structures.
It also accused some lawyers of filing suits aimed at securing judicial intervention in political disputes through forum shopping and what it described as “mala fide applications” to obtain favourable orders.“
This emerging trend of subverting the clear letters of the Electoral Act and dragging courts into the internal affairs of political parties through disingenuous litigation, forum shopping, and mala fide applications designed to secure undemocratic political advantage does no good for our democracy,” the association said.
The NBA warned that continued judicial involvement in such matters could turn court processes into instruments of political manipulation.
It stressed that the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act were designed to prevent abuse of court processes and preserve the integrity of internal party democracy.
The association also reminded legal practitioners of their professional responsibilities, stating that lawyers must not act as political agents in pursuit of partisan outcomes.“The filing of actions intended to draw courts into internal political party disputes, particularly where jurisdiction is expressly excluded, constitutes an abuse of court process and a violation of professional responsibility,” it said.
The NBA warned that it would initiate disciplinary action against any lawyer found to have violated these provisions.
Politics
Hamzat emerges Lagos APC governorship candidate
Hamzat secured a commanding 657,917 votes out of the 657,974 accredited votes cast, while Jim-Kamal managed just one vote, underscoring the overwhelming support for the deputy governor.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 election.
The party’s direct primary was held at the APC Secretariat on Acme road, Ogba in Ikeja, the State’s capital.
Hamzat defeated his challenger, Lanre Jim-Kamal, in what party officials described as a peaceful and transparent exercise.
Hamzat secured a commanding 657,917 votes out of the 657,974 accredited votes cast, while Jim-Kamal managed just one vote, underscoring the overwhelming support for the deputy governor.
The results were announced by the Chairman of the Governorship Electoral Committee, Gen. Jon Temlong, , Ogba.Hamzat’s emergence followed a wave of endorsements from key power blocs within the Lagos APC, particularly the influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).
The primary was further shaped by the withdrawal of several aspirants ahead of the exercise.
Notably, Babajide Adeniran, popularly known as Jandor, and Samuel Mawuyon Àjọṣe, also known as SMA Gold, stepped down from the race in support of Hamzat, consolidating backing around his candidacy.
Politics
Labour Party shifts primaries over Sallah, Democracy Day anniversary
The change became necessary following a clash between its earlier timetable and key national events
The Labour Party has rescheduled its 2027 presidential, governorship, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primary elections to May 30.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, stating that the change became necessary following a clash between its earlier timetable and key national events.
The party had earlier fixed its governorship and state House of Assembly primaries for May 27, while presidential and National Assembly primaries were scheduled for May 29.
Asogwa noted that both exercises will now be conducted on the same date, May 30.
Politics
2027: Natasha emerges PDP Kogi central ticket
The lawmaker pledged to continue representing the interests of the district and maintain close engagement with communities in the zone.
•Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan wave to crowd of supporters
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Vanguard reported that thousands of party members and supporters turned out across the 57 wards of the district to affirm her candidacy during a simultaneous exercise on Wednesday.
The process was concluded at Kahal Cinema, Okene, where party leaders, stakeholders and supporters gathered for the final collation of results.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and journalists monitored the exercise in the wards and at the collation centre to ensure compliance with due process.
Speaking after the collation, Akpoti-Uduaghan thanked party members for what she described as an overwhelming show of confidence and unity.
“This affirmation is a reflection of the trust and confidence the people of Kogi Central have continued to place in our collective vision for progress, inclusion and development,” she said
The lawmaker pledged to continue representing the interests of the district and maintain close engagement with communities in the zone.
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