Lawyers Clash Over NBA’s Warning on Courts’ Role in ADC Crisis
Legal practitioners are divided over a recent Nigerian Bar Association directive that bars lawyers and courts from intervening in the internal affairs of political parties. Supporters say it will curb abuse of judicial processes, while critics argue it undermines constitutional rights. Lagos lawyer Muhammed Adam and human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogar fault the NBA’s reliance on Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026. They insist the right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution cannot be ousted by statute or association directive. On the other side, Festus Ogun, Inibehe Effiong and Najib Adab Usman back the NBA stance. They warn that unethical practices and forum shopping threaten democracy and call for disciplinary action against erring lawyers. The dispute follows a suit by the former ADC deputy chairman seeking INEC recognition after party leadership changes threatened the party’s ability to field a presidential candidate in 2027. Protests have since erupted at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
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