The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the intervention of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), describing its position on the ongoing leadership dispute as a clear validation of the party’s longstanding stance.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party noted that the NBA’s assertion—that courts lack jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties—reinforces ADC’s position that the current legal actions against its leadership are fundamentally defective.
“The NBA’s position is clear and unequivocal: any attempt to secure interim or interlocutory orders in internal party matters is a violation of the Electoral Act. What is unfolding is not a legitimate legal dispute, but a calculated abuse of court process driven by forum shopping and mala fide litigation,” the statement said.
The party warned that the development reflects a broader attempt to weaponize judicial processes for political purposes, particularly in the context of growing national challenges and the approach of the 2027 general elections.
ADC emphasized that any orders obtained in violation of the law are null and void, and cannot confer legitimacy on actions taken pursuant to them.
While commending the NBA for its principled stance and call for disciplinary action against erring legal practitioners, the party expressed concern over continued efforts by some actors to drag the courts into matters clearly barred by law.
The ADC therefore called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take due cognisance of the NBA’s position and refrain from any action that could undermine its neutrality or lend credibility to legally defective processes.
“INEC must remain a neutral arbiter, not a participant in political engineering,” the statement added.
The party stressed that the issue goes beyond ADC, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is at risk if laws are disregarded and institutions manipulated for predetermined political outcomes.
ADC reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all lawful means to defend its mandate and protect the integrity of the democratic process..
