The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams and Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Thursday, warned that Nigeria could end up with only one presidential candidate in the 2027 election if the judiciary continues to interfere in political party affairs.
The duo spoke at the fifth Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Delivering the memorial lecture, Falana said court orders and conflicting judgments were being used to destabilise political parties, warning that this could lead to a situation where only one political party would field a presidential candidate in 2027.
He spoke against the backdrop of Wednesday’s pronouncement by the Independent National Electoral Commission that it would no longer recognise factions of the African Democratic Congress led by David Mark.
Falana criticised the judiciary for interfering in the internal affairs of political parties despite provisions of the Electoral Act prohibiting such interference.
“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,” he said.
He warned that actions capable of undermining democracy could provoke unrest if Nigerians feel they no longer have a genuine electoral choice.
Falana urged civil society groups, labour unions and political activists to organise and defend democratic values, warning that unorganised protests could lead to anarchy.
“We must stop agonising and start organising in the interest of our people and democracy,” he added.
Speaking in the same vein, Adams warned that Nigeria was gradually drifting towards a one-party system, accusing those in power of using the judiciary to suppress opposition parties and the will of the people.
“We are moving towards a one-party system. Those in power are using the judiciary to suppress the will of the people. We may end up having only one presidential candidate in Nigeria if care is not taken,” he said.
He urged Nigerians not to remain silent because their ethnic group was in power, noting that political power rotates and silence in the face of injustice could later be used against those who fail to speak up.
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