By Muhammad Mamman
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stark warning about the mounting toll of litigation and internal leadership crises within Nigeria’s political parties, saying the trend risks undermining democratic consolidation ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. 
Speaking at a technical workshop on Thursday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, expressed frustration that billions of naira are being expended on what he termed “unnecessary litigation” arising from internal party disputes — a drain on both party resources and the electoral body’s limited time and capacity. 
Amupitan said many political parties, instead of serving as vehicles for political engagement and national transformation, have been bogged down by leadership struggles and factional battles. The result, he said, has been a proliferation of court cases that divert attention from substantive campaign planning and voter mobilisation. 
“The persistence of intra‑party wrangling and litigation erodes public confidence in the political process and diverts limited judicial and administrative resources from preparing for election day,” the INEC chairman told party officials assembled at the event. 
The warning comes amid broader concerns about the structural weaknesses of political parties in Nigeria, where frequent defections, factional rivalries, and contested leadership victories have become commonplace. Analysts say such instability contributes to uncertainty and weakens parties’ ability to present clear policy choices to the electorate. 
INEC’s public rebuke underscores a growing frustration within the electoral commission that repeated court battles — often triggered by disputed primaries or rival party factions claiming legitimacy — are draining judicial bandwidth and overshadowing preparations for elections less than two years away. 
The commission has embarked on a review of its regulations for political parties, aiming to align them with the Electoral Act 2026* and strengthen internal party governance — an effort officials hope will pre‑empt some of the root causes of disputes. 
Political observers say INEC’s intervention highlights the need for parties to improve internal democracy and dispute resolution mechanisms if Nigeria’s electoral system is to gain credibility and stability. As the countdown to 2027 accelerates, the electoral umpire’s alarm serves as a reminder that democratic processes are only as resilient as the institutions and actors that uphold them. 
