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.
“Okonkwo announced the appointment in a statement posted on his official X handle on Thursday, expressing appreciation to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him.”
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician and ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo as his spokesperson.
Okonkwo announced the appointment in a statement posted on his official X handle on Thursday, expressing appreciation to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him.
“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he said.
He described the appointment as a reflection of Atiku’s leadership style, noting that the former vice president values dialogue and inclusiveness over resentment.
“Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems,” Okonkwo stated
Politics
ADC, NDC upload presidential tickets to INEC portal for 2027 polls
In a post on his X handle, Abdullahi described the submission as another milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have successfully uploaded the names and particulars of their presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi., Peter Obi/ Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The two parties confirmed the development respectively on the X and Facebook.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, announced on Wednesday that the party had successfully uploaded the names and particulars of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi.
In a post on his X handle, Abdullahi described the submission as another milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, disclosed that he had completed his INEC nomination form, using the occasion to call for greater transparency in the electoral process and a renewed focus on governance.
In a post on his Facebook page, Obi said one of the questions on the nomination form, asking whether an aspirant had ever been labelled a lunatic or declared to be of unsound mind, prompted him to reflect on the state of leadership in Nigeria.
Politics
2027: Obi asks INEC to publish candidates’ certificates
Obi made the call while reflecting on questions contained in the INEC nomination form, particularly those relating to mental fitness and certificate authenticity.
Peter Gregory Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make public the academic certificates and credentials submitted by candidates seeking elective office.
Obi made the call while reflecting on questions contained in the INEC nomination form, particularly those relating to mental fitness and certificate authenticity.
He said that for openness in the electoral system, INEC should publish the certificates and credentials submitted by all aspirants.
According to Obi, making such documents publicly available would help ensure that those seeking public office are held to higher standards of accountability and integrity.
He said, “Have you ever presented a forged certificate to INEC?” Again, the answer is either Yes or No. This raises another important question: Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?”
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