The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on the ongoing leadership dispute within the party, describing it as a clear validation of its long-held stance that the law is being violated.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi on Saturday, the party said the NBA’s assertion that courts lack jurisdiction over internal affairs of political parties confirms that the legal actions challenging its leadership are fundamentally defective.
“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,” the statement said.
The ADC maintained that the current dispute is not a genuine legal contest but a calculated attempt to manipulate the judicial process for political purposes. It described the situation as “a coordinated effort to weaponize the judicial process,” noting that the NBA had similarly warned against abuse of court processes and forum shopping.
According to the party, such developments point to growing political tension, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. It alleged that certain actors were seeking to exploit legal mechanisms to weaken opposition platforms.
“This pattern reflects a deeper political anxiety within the ruling party… now determined to weaken or neutralize all viable opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections,” ADC added.
The party stressed that any court orders obtained in violation of established legal provisions cannot stand, insisting that actions based on such rulings are inherently flawed.
The party also expressed concern over what it described as persistent attempts by “nefarious actors” to drag the courts into matters clearly outside their jurisdiction, while using such processes to create confusion around its leadership structure.
Commending the NBA for what it termed a “timely and principled intervention,” the ADC said the association’s warning to legal practitioners and judicial officers underscores the seriousness of the situation.
“We commend the NBA for its courage in calling out these practices and reaffirming that the rule of law must not be subordinated to political expediency,” Abdullahi said.
The party further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note of the NBA’s position and avoid any action that could undermine its neutrality or lend legitimacy to what it described as unlawful judicial interference.
“INEC must remain a neutral arbiter, not a participant in political engineering,” the statement stressed.
The ADC warned that Nigeria’s democracy could be at risk if institutions fail to uphold the law, cautioning against a system where legal frameworks are disregarded and judicial processes manipulated for predetermined outcomes.
“The issue before us is bigger than the ADC. It is about the integrity of the democratic process itself,” the party stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the ADC said it would continue to pursue all lawful means to defend its leadership and safeguard democratic principles in the country. Authority.
