Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has warned that Nigeria risks having only one presidential candidate in the 2027 general election if judicial interference in political party affairs persists.
Falana made this known on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the 5th Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture held in Lagos.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Joe Ajaero, Omoyele Sowore, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olumide Fusika. Also present were Joe Odumakin, President of the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation; Lanre Arogundade; Agba Jalingo; and Richard Akinola, amongst other activists.
Falana expressed concern over what he described as the increasing use of court orders and conflicting judgments to destabilise political parties. According to him, such actions could ultimately lead to a scenario where only one political party fields a presidential candidate.
His comments come amid recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which announced it would no longer recognise factions of the African Democratic Congress led by David Mark.
INEC said its decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling directing it to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of a suit challenging the legality of the party’s leadership.
Falana criticised the judiciary for вмешing in internal party matters, arguing that such actions contradict provisions of the Electoral Act that limit court involvement in party affairs.
“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 further warned that undermining democratic processes could trigger unrest if citizens feel deprived of genuine electoral choices.
Falana called on civil society groups, labour unions, and political activists to organise in defence of democracy, cautioning that uncoordinated protests could lead to chaos.
“We must stop agonising and start organising in the interest of our people and democracy,” he added.
