ADC To Courts, INEC: Heed NBA’s Caution On Party Issues

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts to heed the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) position on internal party matters, insisting that the law is being violated in the ongoing dispute over its leadership.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the NBA’s intervention as a validation of its long-held position that courts lack jurisdiction over internal affairs of political parties.

The ADC said the NBA’s warning against the abuse of court processes and forum shopping confirms that the legal action challenging its leadership is 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 violates the Electoral Act,” the statement read.

The party alleged that the ongoing legal challenge was not a legitimate dispute but a calculated attempt to manipulate the judicial process for political purposes.

According to the ADC, such actions reflect a broader effort to weaken opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid what it described as mounting governance challenges, including insecurity, economic instability, rising unemployment, and declining public trust.

It stressed that any court orders obtained in violation of the law, as well as actions taken based on such orders, are invalid and cannot stand.

The party also expressed concern over what it termed persistent attempts by “nefarious actors” to involve the courts in matters expressly excluded by statute, warning that such actions risk creating confusion around its leadership.

Commending the NBA for its stance, the ADC said the association’s call for disciplinary measures against erring legal practitioners and judicial officers underscores the gravity of the situation.

The party, therefore, called on INEC to take note of the NBA’s position and avoid any actions that could legitimise what it described as unlawful judicial interference.

“INEC must remain a neutral arbiter, not a participant in political engineering,” the statement added.

The ADC further warned that Nigeria’s democracy would be at risk if legal provisions are ignored, institutions are pressured, and judicial processes are manipulated to achieve predetermined political outcomes.

It maintained that the issue extends beyond the party, stressing that it concerns the integrity of the country’s democratic system.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all lawful means to defend its leadership and protect democratic principles.

End