Activist and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has said the continued interference of the judiciary in the affairs of political parties could lead to a situation where only one political party fields a presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
He gave the warning on Thursday at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, while speaking at the fifth Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture.
The lecture, titled ‘Can Nigeria’s Democracy Work without Restructuring?’, was attended by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero; the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams; activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore; and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olumide Fusika, among others.
Delivering the memorial lecture, Falana said court orders and conflicting judgements were being used to destabilise political parties.
He spoke against the backdrop of Wednesday’s pronouncement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it would no longer recognise factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark.
INEC based its decision on a Court of Appeal judgement directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of Mark’s leadership of the opposition party.
“Since the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark were uploaded on 9th September 2025 by INEC (seven days after the suit was instituted), the names will be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the matter is decided by the trial court,” the commission stated.
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INEC further clarified that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is currently seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.
Falana criticised the judiciary for interfering in the internal affairs of political parties despite provisions of the Electoral Act prohibiting such interference.
“Through the manipulation of Nigerian courts and senior lawyers, you may have only one candidate contesting the presidential election in this country. If that happens, Nigeria may not even need to spend money on a presidential election,” he said.
He warned that actions capable of undermining democracy could provoke unrest if Nigerians feel they no longer have a genuine electoral choice. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) urged civil society groups, labour unions, and political activists to organise and defend democratic values, warning that unorganised protests could lead to anarchy.
“We must stop agonising and start organising in the interest of our people and democracy,” he added.
