{"title":"An Examination of the Sphere of Power of the State and Federal Legal Adviser under the Nigerian Party System: A Review of Akawo v PDP & Ors","authors":[{"name":"Benson Ayodele Oloworaran","initials":"B.A.O.","affiliation":null,"orcid":null,"email":null}],"abstract":"The validity of the constitution and guidelines of political parties necessary for their internal governance and party structure is constitutionally recognised. Such constitutions and guidelines regulate their domestic affairs, ensure internal democracy and preserve the federal character template of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, the supremacy of a political party\u2019s constitution and the independence of organs created there under within their sphere of authority has always been a subject of controversy, especially between the state legal officer and the national legal officer. This issue arose in the case of Akawo v PDP& Ors as to the implications of the bifurcation of powers between the various strata of authorities established under the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party. Employing the doctrinal approach, this paper reviews the decision in that case and concludes that the decision deepens and entrenches internal democracy of parties as well as prevents arbitrariness and usurpation of the power of one office by another within the party.","keywords":["Examination","Power","Legal Adviser","Party System"],"publication_date":"2026-01-09","journal":{"name":"Global Insights Law Journal","issn":"3141-5717","issn_type":"Electronic"},"volume":"1","issue":"1","article_number":8,"pages":null,"first_page":null,"last_page":null,"doi":null,"url":"https:\/\/gilawjournal.com\/article\/an-examination-of-the-sphere-of-power-of-the-state-and-federal-legal-adviser-under-the-nigerian-party-system-a-review-of-akawo-v-pdp-ors","language":"English","document_type":"Article","publication_year":2026,"received_date":null,"accepted_date":null,"funding":[],"citations":["1. *PhD, BL, Benuch Legal Consult, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, [bensondele@yahoo.com](mailto:bensondele@yahoo.com).","2. F.R.N v Abiola (1997) 2 NWLR (Pt. 488) 444.","3. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) Cap C23 LFN 2004 (CFRN) s 223.","4. Peoples Democratic Party Constitution art 2; All Progressives Congress Constitution 2014 art 2; Labour Party Constitution art 7; All Progressives Grand Alliance Constitution art 7.","5. Suit No FHC\/ABJ\/CS\/112\/2023, Decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, per Ekwo J, delivered 20 September 2023.","6. Kubau v Rilwanu (2014) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1397) 284.","7. Ebe v C.O.P (2008) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1076) 189 at 217 paras A\u2013D.","8. Fawehinmi v N.B.A. (No 1) (1989) 2 NWLR (Pt. 105) 494 at 531 para D.","9. Adebiyi v Umar (2012) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1305) 279 at 296 paras B\u2013D.","10. Nwambe v State (1991) 3 NWLR (Pt. 384) 385 at 403 paras E\u2013F.","11. Nemi v State (1994) 10 SCNJ 1 at 3; (1994) 9 NWLR (Pt. 366) 1.","12. Alamona v Bida (2000) 8 NWLR (Pt. 668) 186 at 193.","13. F.R.N v Abiola (1997) 2 NWLR (Pt. 488) 444 per Kalgo JCA at 464\u2013465 paras H\u2013A.","14. Ibid.","15. Kubau v Rilwanu (2014) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1397) 284.","16. Chukwu & Ors v Akpelu (2013) LPELR-21864 (SC).","17. Ihedioha v Nwosu (2020) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1717) 291 at 314\u2013315 paras E\u2013G.","18. Obasanjo v Buhari (2003) 17 NWLR (Pt. 850) 510.","19. Fayemi v Oni (2009) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1140) 223 at 255.","20. Aliyu v Namadi (2023) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1885) 161 at 205.","21. Emenike v P.D.P (2012) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1315) 556.","22. Aguma v A.P.C. (2021) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1796) 351 at 398 paras B\u2013G; A.P.C v Karfi (2017) 16 NWLR (Pt. 1592) 457.","23. Oshiomhole v Salihu (No 2) (2021) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1778) 380; Gana v S.D.P (2019) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1684) 510.","24. Erue v Okotie-Eboh (2017) LPELR-42; Tarzoor v Ioraer (2016) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1500) 463; Uzodinma v Izunaso (No 2) (2011) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1275) 30.","25. Oshiomhole v Salihu (No 1) (2021) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1778) 237 at 269 paras C\u2013F.","26. Oshiomhole v Salihu (No 2) (2021) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1778) 380.","27. Boko v Nungwa (2019) 1 NWLR (Pt. 1654) 395 at 435 para D.","28. First Bank of Nigeria Plc v T.S.A. Industries Ltd (2010) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1216)."]}