Femi Falana
Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has issued a warning that judicial interference and manipulation by some lawyers could undermine Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, potentially resulting in a presidential poll with only one candidate.
Speaking at the 5th Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture in Lagos, Falana expressed alarm over the increasing use of conflicting court judgments and frivolous litigation to destabilise political parties, particularly in the opposition.
“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.”
Falana criticised the judiciary for meddling in the internal affairs of political parties, actions he said contravene the provisions of the Electoral Act, which expressly limit court interference in such matters.
He pointed to recent cases involving factions of parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and conflicting orders affecting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as examples of this dangerous trend
Threat of a One-Party:
DominanceThe senior lawyer warned that continued judicial sabotage of opposition parties could push Nigeria toward a de facto one-party state, eroding the multi-party democracy enshrined in the Constitution.
He noted that if major opposition platforms are crippled through endless court cases and injunctions, the ruling party could face little or no credible challenge in 2027.
Falana also called on civil society organisations, labour unions, and pro-democracy activists to “stop agonising and start organising” to defend democracy, warning that uncoordinated resistance could lead to chaos or public unrest if citizens feel robbed of genuine electoral choices.
Reactions and Context:
The warning comes amid ongoing crises in several opposition parties, including leadership disputes in the PDP, ADC, and others, many of which have ended up in courts with multiple conflicting judgments — a phenomenon critics often describe as “judicial terrorism” or forum shopping by politicians.
Political observers say Falana’s comments highlight long-standing concerns about the weaponisation of the judiciary in Nigerian politics, especially as the countdown to the 2027 elections intensifies following recent opposition realignments.
INEC is yet to respond officially to Falana’s latest remarks, but the commission has in the past defended its decisions as being guided by court rulings.
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