By Our Correspondent
National News – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has endorsed the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), insisting that courts lack jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties.
The party argued that recent legal challenges to its leadership are invalid and amount to an abuse of judicial processes.
The development came after the NBA cautioned against the growing trend of seeking court orders to resolve internal party conflicts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the NBA, provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 restrict courts from interfering in internal party matters, including issuing interim or interlocutory orders.
The ADC, in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the NBA’s warning supports the party’s long-held position that the leadership dispute is politically motivated rather than legally justified.
The party stressed that ongoing lawsuits challenging its leadership structure represent attempts to manipulate the judicial system for political advantage.
It maintained that any court orders obtained in violation of the Electoral Act are fundamentally defective and cannot stand.
Reacting further, the ADC urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial and avoid legitimising what it described as unlawful judicial interference in party administration.
The party warned that involving INEC in such disputes could undermine democratic processes and set a dangerous precedent.
The NBA had earlier highlighted that Section 83 of the Electoral Act bars courts from interfering in internal party affairs, emphasising that judicial intervention in such matters contradicts existing legal provisions.
The ADC praised the NBA for speaking against what it termed judicial abuse, noting that respect for the rule of law remains vital to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
The party added that it would continue to defend its leadership and democratic structures through lawful means while resisting attempts to derail the political process through legal manipulation.
