₦airaland Forum

Concerns have been raised over what many senior lawyers and retired judicial officers describe as a troubling pattern of judicial interference in the internal affairs of political parties.

The growing anxiety follows a series of recent court decisions, particularly those linked to the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress, which critics argue appear to contradict the clear provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

At the centre of the debate is Section 83 of the Electoral Act, which explicitly bars courts from entertaining cases relating strictly to the internal affairs of political parties.

Despite this provision, several rulings in recent months have reignited concerns about the judiciary’s role in political disputes, prompting reactions from legal stakeholders and professional bodies

The Nigerian Bar Association had, in a statement on Friday signed by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that continued judicial involvement in intra-party matters could undermine democratic principles and erode public confidence in the judiciary

According to the NBA, the recent developments raise serious constitutional and rule-of-law concerns that require urgent attention.

These developments, particularly those arising from the interpretation and potential application of provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, raise serious constitutional, democratic, and rule-of-law concerns that require immediate intervention,” the statement read in part.

The association further criticised what it described as the “disturbing involvement” of lawyers and courts in matters that are expressly excluded from judicial jurisdiction.

“We particularly deprecate the disturbing involvement by lawyers and courts in the internal affairs of political parties despite the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026,” Osigwe stated, referencing Section 83, which stipulates that no court shall entertain suits pertaining to party internal affairs".


Retired justice raises alarm

A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the trend as a direct violation of the law and warned of its implications for Nigeria’s democratic stability

"The Electoral Act is unambiguous,” he said. “Once a matter pertains strictly to the internal affairs of a political party—whether it involves congresses, leadership tussles, or candidate selection—the courts have no business intervening. Section 83 was deliberately crafted to prevent exactly what we are witnessing today.”

According to the retired jurist, the increasing willingness of some courts to assume jurisdiction in such matters suggests a deeper institutional problem within the judiciary

This is not judicial activism; it is judicial overreach,” he added. “If not urgently addressed, it could delegitimise the judiciary in the eyes of the public.”

He also expressed concern over the growing incidence of conflicting court orders, describing the trend as “embarrassingly frequent” and dangerous for the rule of law

We now see situations where one court grants an order and another court of coordinate jurisdiction sets it aside or issues a contrary order. This creates confusion, encourages forum shopping, and ultimately weakens the rule of law,” he said.

The ex-justice warned that if political actors begin to perceive the judiciary as a tool to secure favourable outcomes, courts could lose their credibility as impartial arbiters

When political actors realise they can shop for favourable judgments, the courts become battlegrounds rather than temples of justice. That is dangerous for democracy,” he added.


SANs back NBA stance

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olu Daramola, aligned with the NBA’s position, describing the concerns raised by the association as both legally and logically sound.

SuperEagles:
NADECO is a fraud yet you are enjoying the democracy it brought about while criminals that turned overnight emergency democratic after working with Abacha that slaughtered the winner of June 12 n his wife, same people like Peter Obi that never contributed a dime to bring about the democracy are the ones you are supporting shamelessly

You've had nearly 800 ships stuck in there for several weeks. Most of them are now loaded with cargo so the priority is going to be to get them out."

The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of the US-Israel war with Iran after Tehran effectively choked off one of the world's most important shipping lanes

A two-week US-Iran ceasefire agreed on Tuesday included a condition that "safe passage" through the narrow waterway would be guaranteed.

However, vessels in the area have received messages that they would be "targeted and destroyed" if they attempted to cross the strait without permission, and only a few ships have made the journey over the past three days.

By 17:00 BST on 10 April only 19 ships had been tracked passing through the strait since the ceasefire.

Of these, four were tankers carrying either oil, gas or chemicals. The rest are listed as bulk carriers or container ships of various types.

That's based on BBC Verify analysis of ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic. Other ships have made the journey without broadcasting their location.

That compares to an average of 138 ships passing through the strait each day before the conflict started on 28 February.

The disruption to shipping since the conflict began five weeks ago has sent shock waves across the global economy, destabilising energy prices and exposing just how reliant international supply chains are on the channel that connects the Gulf with the Indian Ocean.

Shipping analysts say vessel owners will remain cautious about crossing the strait until the situation becomes clearer.

"Most shipping lines would want to get details and reassurances on what it actually takes to transit and those details are not available," Lars Jensen from Vespucci Maritime told the BBC.

Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of Lloyd's List says it has been a "very dangerous" time for ship owners who still face a huge amount of uncertainty.

"We know Iran is essentially still in control of the strait, and the assumption is that ship owners will still need to seek permission from the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]… and how that's going to work is still not clear."

BBC Verify's analysis of the paths taken by the ships shows them taking a northern route through the strait close to Iran's coastline, within its territorial waters.

Prior to the conflict, vessels usually took a more southerly route through the middle of the waterway.

'Nearly 800 ships stuck'

If crossings do resume at a greater pace, Meade expects stranded tankers that are fully loaded with cargo will be the priority.

"You've had nearly 800 ships stuck in there for several weeks. Most of them are now loaded with cargo so the priority is going to be to get them out."

The duration of the ceasefire - set to last two weeks - also brings uncertainty for ships, says Niels Rasmussen, a shipping analyst from BIMCO.

"I doubt there will be a large influx of ships into the Gulf… because they do not want to risk being trapped after the two-week window closes."

Another uncertainty is the possibility of sea mines, says Thomas Kazakos, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping.

"We need to make sure that we have clear confirmation that the safety of navigation for the ships and the seafarers are being agreed," he told BBC Verify.

Toll payments

On top of these concerns, ships face the uncertainty of possibly having to make payments to Iran in order to secure safe passage - following reports that tolls may be a part of the ceasefire deal.

"The Iranian negotiation position seems to be that you need to pay a toll to go through the strait and shipping lines will also be hesitant in going down the path of paying that toll," says Jensen.

greatseed:
Who is deceiving this mumu. Councillor you cant win, you are now talking about a president. Who is giving this one fake confidence ?

Honestey:
Hi



Anyone who dare to correct a systemically corrupted country over the years will definitely have so many enemies. That's what's happening here.

Stanna2025:
Tinubu has so destroyed the economy and reduced the purchasing power of the masses. Voting him for 2nd term is like signing our death warrants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc8LGaBWhNE?si=upN-akpbIVQXgc0M


Congress (ADC), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said President Bola Tinubu has no realistic chance of securing re-election in 2027.

Rhodes-Vivour, who was the Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State in the 2023 election, made the assertion while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday


“I have looked at data, we have polling that is going on now, credible polling—there is no pathway for the president to emerge victorious, that is why we are seeing all these shenanigans,” he said.

He further argued that the president’s electoral support base, particularly in northern Nigeria, has significantly weakened.

“There is no pathway for him. When you look at the North that gave him 62 per cent of his votes, you see the tsunami that is happening in the North,” Rhodes-Vivour added.

The Lagos politician also criticised the composition of the current administration, alleging that governance has been concentrated among a narrow circle.

“You have a president that created a government system that is just for the city boys. It is a city boys’ government. It’s not even a proper South-West government; it’s his cronies that are just in charge,” he said.

Rhodes-Vivour linked the ongoing crisis within opposition parties, including the ADC, to what he described as a deliberate strategy by the ruling government.

According to him, the president is attempting to weaken opposition structures ahead of the next election cycle.

“So, the best pathway is to create an environment where he is the only candidate on the ballot for the presidency. That is what he is trying to achieve, but he is not going to succeed,” he stated.

His comments come amid tensions within the ADC following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as the party’s national chairman and secretary, respectively.

The move, which INEC said was based on a court order, has been rejected by the party’s leadership.

Earlier this week, prominent opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, led a protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja, calling for electoral accountability.

The demonstration attracted hundreds of supporters, highlighting growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

DeepSight:
+
Listening to him attempt to read a petition at INEC yesterday, it emerges that he can barely read.

yarimo:
Sowore and adeyanju are not rascal but patriotic citizen

fergie001:
I know who is worst.

Ballmer:
Are you ugbo.
Do you know where austerity measure came into 9ja lexicon ?
That is IBB n IMF doings, ask your father about it if you were too young back then.

Gotocourt:
I'll go with Abacha because of security reasons. Baba dealt with islamists fundamentalist like Sanusi, Sultan was deposed mainly because of cheating which happened years prior to deposing incident, firing squad for anyhowness 🤣😂😅

happney65:
Wait for it,he wont answer. Believe me

seunmsg:
Are you saying families no longer go pick nicking or what? Right now in Abuja, all parks and recreational centers are already filled up. By 6pm today, you won’t even be able to get a seat at almost all the bars and hotel lounges in Abuja. So, what’s your point?

If you no get money to flex, go and double your hustle. Stop trying to see your poverty in others.

Karlovich:
On the matters of security, the bulk stops at the president's office. Nigerians take back your country in 2027!