Nigerian judiciary's growing influence on elections raises concerns for 2027 polls

This trend is causing concern ahead of the 2027 general elections, as rival political factions and the Independent National Electoral Commission are embroiled in legal battles. Despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming political parties' internal affairs, lower courts continue to interfere, leading to conflicting judgments. Recent examples include attempts to deregister the African Democratic Congress and the National Democratic Congress, whose presidential candidates are Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively.

The Court of Appeal recently barred INEC from recognizing congresses conducted by the David Mark-led executives of the ADC, while a Federal High Court judge astonishingly reversed his own 2025 judgment to register the NDC. Another Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed David Mark as the National Chairman of the ADC, ruling it lacked jurisdiction over internal party matters. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja directed INEC to deregister several parties, including the ADC, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, Action Peoples Party, and Action Alliance, a decision later overturned by the Court of Appeal.

These appellate court interventions highlight a troubling pattern of High Courts defying higher court decisions, which the National Judicial Council is urged to address to protect the credibility of the 2027 elections. The ar