02/09/2026
When can an aspirant approach the court over a disputed party primary?
Political parties have significant autonomy over their internal affairs, but that autonomy does not place them beyond the reach of the law.
With the Electoral Act 2026, the legal position on disputes arising from the selection and nomination of political party candidates deserves closer attention, particularly where an aspirant alleges non-compliance with the Electoral Act or the party’s own guidelines.
In this article, our associate, Aare LAWAL FAROUQ AYOBAMI (FAL), examines the circumstances in which an aspirant may seek judicial redress, the role of internal dispute-resolution mechanisms, the strict 14-day limitation period for pre-election matters, who has the requisite standing to sue, and the remedies available to the court.
A key takeaway is that internal party remedies and judicial intervention are not necessarily mutually exclusive. While internal mechanisms may provide an avenue for resolving disputes, they must not be allowed to extinguish a claimant’s statutory right of access to the courts through delay.
Ultimately, political parties enjoy autonomy but not immunity from the law.
Read the full article for a detailed examination of political party primaries, internal dispute resolution and the court’s role in enforcing electoral compliance.
