Dr. Yunusa Tanko, a close ally of former presidential candidate Peter Obi on Wednesday alleged that ongoing political and legal actions are part of a wider effort to frustrate Obi’s political rise ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tanko made the claim in a post on his X handle, where he warned that Nigeria’s democracy was under pressure and accused unnamed forces of trying to stop the former Anambra State governor.
“All in the effort to stop one man HE PO. We will survive this in sha Allah,” he wrote.
The Obi ally argued that the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of political parties, citing previous judgments to back his position.
According to him, the apex court in a March 21, 2025 judgment held that lower courts lacked jurisdiction over party matters.
“No court has jurisdiction to entertain cases bordering on the internal affairs of political parties,” he quoted the court as saying.
Tanko also referred to the Supreme Court ruling in the SDP versus INEC case, which he said reaffirmed that issues concerning the internal affairs of political parties are solely for the parties to decide and are beyond outside interference.
He further cited Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act 2026, which he said bars courts from entertaining cases related to party internal matters, while also imposing sanctions on lawyers who file such suits.
Tanko, however, acknowledged that disputes arising from party primaries remain exceptions where courts may intervene, but maintained that matters such as party leadership, conventions, membership and suspensions are generally not justiciable.
His comments come amid increasing political tension and legal disputes within opposition parties as early alignments for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
