Falana blames courts, lawyers for ‘one-party drift’ after ADC ruling

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has accused Nigeria’s legal system of undermining democratic plurality, arguing that recent court decisions and legal interpretations are pushing the country toward a one-party structure.

Speaking on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, at the fifth memorial lecture held in honour of the late activist Yinka Odumakin, Falana said the growing influence of judicial rulings in political party affairs poses a serious threat to democratic principles.

His remarks followed the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership after a court judgment.

Falana argued that both the courts and senior lawyers have contributed to what he described as a dangerous trend, insisting that the situation contradicts provisions in the Electoral Act that limit judicial interference in party administration.

Legal contradictions and political consequences

According to him, the law clearly restricts courts from intervening in the internal affairs of political parties, a principle he said had already been affirmed by the Supreme Court in earlier rulings.

He explained that the Electoral Act explicitly bars courts from issuing interim or interlocutory orders in such matters, making the recent Court of Appeal decision, in his view, inconsistent with existing legal provisions.

Falana also criticised INEC’s response, noting that the commission acted on what he described as a misinterpretation of a “status quo ante bellum” order, a legal term referring to restoring a situation to how it was before a dispute.

He maintained that the implication of INEC’s action is far-reaching, as derecognising a party effectively prevents its members from participating in elections, thereby narrowing the political space.

INEC suspends recognition of ADC factions amid ongoing leadership dispute

Rather than blaming the administration of Bola Tinubu directly, Falana said the responsibility lies more with legal actors whose actions, he believes, are reshaping the political landscape.

Rising tensions and calls for action

Also speaking at the event, activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore struck a more confrontational tone, warning that the country may be heading toward a period of intense political upheaval.

He described the current moment as a turning point, urging Nigerians to recognise what he framed as a growing crisis within the system.

Sowore suggested that the political climate could trigger widespread agitation, arguing that the direction of governance under the current administration may inadvertently fuel calls for radical change.

While his comments leaned toward activism, Falana’s intervention focused more on institutional accountability, particularly within the judiciary and legal profession.

Together, their remarks reflect mounting concern among some political actors and civil society figures over the role of legal institutions in shaping Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, especially as the country moves closer to another electoral cycle.