The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified, with the party referencing the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) recent warning on alleged abuse of court processes as justification for its position in the ongoing dispute.
Speaking on the matter, the party’s spokesperson said the intervention by the NBA reinforces concerns that some political actors are engaging in forum shopping and obtaining what he described as conflicting and misleading court orders to destabilise the party’s recognised leadership.
The Nigerian Bar Association had earlier warned that the increasing use of courts for tactical political battles—particularly through conflicting applications across different jurisdictions—amounts to an abuse of judicial process.
The NBA cautioned that such practices not only undermine the integrity of the judiciary but also risk eroding public confidence in the legal system. It further urged legal practitioners to uphold professional ethics and avoid actions capable of turning the courts into instruments of political manipulation.
Citing the NBA’s position, the ADC leadership maintained that the ongoing litigation surrounding its internal affairs reflects precisely the kind of judicial abuse the legal body warned against.
The party argued that attempts to secure contradictory rulings from different courts amount to deliberate forum shopping designed to create confusion over its leadership structure.
It insisted that any court order obtained in violation of statutory provisions governing party administration cannot be used to alter or impose leadership changes within the party.
Warning to litigants and legal actors
The ADC also echoed concerns that continued disregard for proper judicial procedure could deepen instability not only within political parties but in the wider democratic system.
It stressed that the NBA’s warning should serve as a reminder to both litigants and legal practitioners that the courts must not be used as tools for political engineering or internal party warfare.
The party further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain strictly neutral, warning against actions that could be interpreted as legitimising disputed leadership claims while legal questions remain unresolved.
It said INEC must act strictly within the confines of the law to avoid escalating tensions within the party.
Broader democratic concerns
According to the ADC, the crisis highlights a growing challenge in Nigeria’s political system, where competing court orders and legal tactics are increasingly used to settle internal party disputes.
The party maintained that respect for judicial integrity and adherence to due process remain essential for strengthening democracy and ensuring stability within political institutions.
It reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing lawful avenues to resolve the leadership dispute while urging all stakeholders to respect both the courts and internal party structures..
ADC Cites NBA Stance on Court Abuse, Blasts Malafide Litigation
