Nigeria TV Info 

2027: Falana, Adams Warn of One‑Candidate Presidential Poll in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria — Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and traditional leader Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, have sounded the alarm that the 2027 Nigerian presidential election could effectively feature just one candidate if current political and judicial trends continue. They made the remarks at the fifth Comrade Yinka Odumakin Memorial Lecture in Ikeja, Lagos, attended by labour leaders, activists and civil society figures.

Falana criticised what he described as judicial interference in political party affairs, saying court orders and conflicting judgments are increasingly being used to destabilise political parties — particularly opposition groups — ahead of the 2027 polls. He warned this could undermine democratic competition and leave only one party able to present a presidential candidate. “Through the manipulation of Nigerian courts and senior lawyers, you may have only one candidate contesting the presidential election in this country,” Falana said, adding that Nigeria might not even need to hold a genuine presidential election if this trend persists.

The concern follows recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrawing recognition of rival factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after a Court of Appeal ruling, a move Falana said contradicts the Electoral Act’s limitations on judicial interference in party affairs.

Adams echoed Falana’s warning, asserting that Nigeria is “gradually drifting towards a one‑party system” as powerful interests allegedly use the judiciary to suppress opposition and the will of the people. He urged Nigerians not to remain silent — especially those whose own ethnic or political groups are in power — because political dominance can shift in the future.

Both speakers called on civil society, labour unions and activists to organise more effectively to defend democratic values, cautioning that failure to do so might provoke unrest if citizens feel deprived of meaningful electoral choice.