Judicial Interference May Leave Nigeria With One Candidate in 2027 – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has raised alarm over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the country risks having only one presidential candidate in the 2027 general election if judicial interference in political party affairs continues.

Falana made this assertion while delivering a lecture at the fifth Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture held in Lagos. He cautioned that the increasing use of court orders and conflicting judgments to destabilise political parties could weaken opposition structures and limit electoral competition.

According to him, the manipulation of the judiciary in political matters could lead to a scenario where only one political party fields a presidential candidate, effectively undermining democratic choice.

“Through the manipulation of Nigerian courts… you may have only one candidate contesting the presidential election,” Falana warned.

His comments come amid recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which announced it would no longer recognise certain factions within the African Democratic Congress following a Court of Appeal ruling.

Falana criticised the judiciary for interfering in internal party affairs, arguing that such actions contradict provisions of Nigeria’s Electoral Act, which limits court involvement in party operations. He warned that continued interference could erode democratic institutions and trigger unrest if citizens feel deprived of genuine electoral choices.

Also speaking at the event, Gani Adams echoed similar concerns, stating that Nigeria appears to be drifting toward a one-party system. He accused those in power of using judicial mechanisms to suppress opposition voices and the will of the electorate.

Both speakers urged civil society groups, labour unions, and political stakeholders to actively defend democratic values and resist actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s multiparty system.