Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana has raised a serious alarm regarding the future of Nigeria’s democracy, suggesting that the country could be heading toward a single-candidate presidential election in 2027. Speaking at the fifth Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture in Ikeja, Lagos, Falana expressed deep concern over what he described as the judiciary’s increasing interference in the internal affairs of political parties.
The event, hosted by Dr. Joe Odumakin at the Airport Hotel, brought together a notable group of activists and leaders, including Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olumide Fusika. During his lecture, Falana argued that the frequent use of conflicting court judgments and ex parte orders is being weaponized to destabilize political organizations. According to information shared with Reports, he warned that if this trend of legal manipulation continues, the political landscape could be cleared of all but one dominant contender by the time the next general election arrives.
Falana’s comments come on the heels of a recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission to stop recognizing certain factions within the African Democratic Congress. This move by the electoral body was based on a Court of Appeal ruling that mandated the commission to maintain the status quo until leadership disputes within the party are legally resolved. Falana criticized such developments, pointing out that despite the Electoral Act’s provisions intended to limit judicial meddling in party business, the courts are becoming more involved than ever.
The senior lawyer was blunt about the potential consequences of these legal battles. He noted that through the combined efforts of certain senior lawyers and the manipulation of the court system, the competitive nature of Nigerian politics is being systematically undermined. He remarked that if the process eventually whittles down the field to just one candidate, the government might as well save the massive funds typically allocated for organizing a national presidential election.
The lecture served as a stark reminder of the fragile state of party politics in Nigeria. Other attendees, including Lanre Arogundade of the International Press Centre and activists Agba Jalingo and Richard Akinola, listened as Falana called for a more disciplined approach to legal and political processes. He maintained that the essence of a democracy lies in the ability of multiple parties to offer choices to the electorate, a right that is currently being threatened by internal strife and external legal pressure.
