Manny Ita –
The Nigerian Bar Association has issued a strong warning to legal practitioners and members of the judiciary, urging them to refrain from вмешling in the internal affairs of political parties, citing growing concerns over what it described as judicial overreach.
In a statement released by the association, the NBA emphasized that political parties are governed by their own constitutions and internal mechanisms, which should be respected except in clear cases of constitutional violations or breaches of fundamental rights. The body cautioned that frequent court interventions in party disputes risk undermining democratic processes and weakening institutional boundaries.
The association noted a rising trend where aggrieved party members resort to litigation over internal disagreements such as candidate selection, leadership tussles, and disciplinary actions. According to the NBA, while access to the courts remains a constitutional right, indiscriminate judicial involvement in such matters could distort the political landscape and erode party autonomy.
The NBA further advised lawyers to exercise professional restraint by discouraging frivolous lawsuits that drag internal party issues before the courts without exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms. It also called on judges to be guided by established legal principles and precedents that limit judicial interference in political questions.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the association stressed that the judiciary must strike a careful balance between upholding justice and respecting the independence of political institutions.
