Human Rights Activist, and Senior Lawyer, Femi Falana
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, 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.
They spoke at the fifth Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The event was attended by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero; activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore; and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olumide Fusika, among others.
The event was hosted by the President of the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation, Joe Odumakin, and also had in attendance the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, and other activists, including Agba Jalingo and Richard Akinola.
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.
INEC based its decision on a Court of Appeal judgment directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of Mark’s leadership of the opposition party.
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.
Adams added that the best way to honour the departed Odumakin was for activists and civil society groups to remain committed to justice, democracy and good governance.
In a lecture titled “Can Nigeria’s Democracy Work without Restructuring?”, Falana said restructuring had already been taking place in the country, but largely in favour of the political class, especially state governors and members of the ruling elite.
According to him, Nigeria operated more like a federal system in the First Republic when regions controlled the police, courts and local governments, but the 1999 Constitution returned the country to a more centralised system with more items on the Exclusive Legislative List.
“In 1963, there were about 45 items on the Exclusive List, but today we have about 68 items. Practically everything is controlled by Abuja. What we have now is more of a unitary system than a federal system,” he said.
Falana explained that some powers had been taken from the Federal Government through court cases filed by states, particularly on issues such as local government administration, Value Added Tax and control of land.
He noted that despite agitation for restructuring, many state governments had failed to utilise the powers already granted to them, especially in areas like electricity generation, railways and prisons.
“Some of those who shout restructuring don’t believe in it. Electricity, railways and prisons were removed from the Exclusive List, but how many states have generated electricity, built rail lines or established prisons? None,” he said.
Speaking on the debate over state police, Falana warned that the system could be abused by governors to suppress political opponents, citing abuses recorded during the First Republic.
He said the Police Council, which includes the President, Inspector-General of Police, Chairman of the Police Service Commission and state governors, was meant to manage the Federal Police collectively, but hardly meets, leaving policing effectively in the hands of the President.
Falana also accused the political class of cornering the country’s resources, especially oil blocks and solid minerals, alleging that a few individuals had become extremely wealthy through government allocations.
He added that illegal mining and smuggling of minerals were contributing to insecurity, as unemployed youths were being recruited into such activities.
Fusika warned that the nation was approaching a dangerous point, particularly with pervasive insecurity, and called for unity to tackle the challenges.
Akinola decried what he described as an “incestuous relationship” between the executive and the judiciary.
“Politicians have hijacked the judiciary, and it is dangerous,” he said.
Speaking, Ajaero argued that Nigeria had been hijacked by a few individuals benefiting from the current centralised structure.
He supported restructuring, devolution of powers, and state police, while cautioning that any revolution must be organised to avoid anarchy.
In his remarks, Sowore said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was pushing Nigerians towards a revolution.
“These are revolutionary times if we take advantage of them. I predicted, when President Bola Tinubu came to power, that he was the one who would lead us to a revolution in Nigeria. It is up to the Nigerian people to take charge of the moment and the opportunity he has provided for the revolution.
“Tinubu is on a highway driving you to a revolution, and you still have not got the message. But he will make it happen because this country cannot escape a revolution.
“Tinubu’s most important duty as President is to drive this country in a revolutionary direction where he, the rest of his colleagues, ministers and friends will be strangers to the system they think they brought about,” he said.
The Punch
