ADC backs NBA position on party leadership dispute
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has endorsed the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on attempts to challenge the party’s leadership through the courts. In a statement by its
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has endorsed the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on attempts to challenge the party’s leadership through the courts.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi on Saturday, the party said the NBA’s intervention affirms its position on the limits of judicial involvement in internal party matters.
“The NBA’s position is clear and unambiguous: courts have no jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties, and any attempt to secure interim or interlocutory orders in such matters is in direct violation of the Electoral Act,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC described ongoing legal actions around its leadership as politically driven, alleging misuse of the judicial process.
“What we are witnessing is not a legitimate legal dispute. It is a coordinated effort to weaponize the judicial process for political ends, a strategy the NBA has rightly described as an abuse of court process, driven by forum shopping and malafide litigation,” the party said.
The party maintained that any legal orders obtained contrary to the law would not stand, stating, “The implication of this is straightforward: any orders procured in violation of the law, and any actions taken on the strength of such orders, are fundamentally defective and cannot stand".
The ADC also expressed concern over continued court actions despite what it described as clear legal provisions.
“We commend the NBA for its courage in calling out these practices and for reaffirming the foundational principle that the rule of law must not be subordinated to political expediency,” the party said.
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act in line with the NBA’s position and avoid recognising outcomes arising from disputed legal processes.
“INEC must remain a neutral arbiter, not a participant in political engineering,” Abdullahi said.
The party warned that the issue extends beyond its internal affairs and has wider implications for democracy.
“The issue before us is bigger than the ADC. It is about the integrity of the democratic process itself,” the statement added.
