ADC stops state chapters from handling legal issues

The African Democratic Congress has tightened its grip on legal matters. The party has told its state chapters across Nigeria to stop dealing with court cases or hiring lawyers without getting the go-ahead from the national leadership.

This order was shared in a public notice on Tuesday. It was signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. The notice states that all state chapters must send any court documents they receive straight to the National Legal Adviser at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

This move comes as political activities heat up. There is also a rise in legal battles involving political parties as ADC leads an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The notice explained that the party had heard reports of court documents being served on some state chapters. It also mentioned that lawyers had been engaged to represent the party without the knowledge or approval of the national legal office.

The statement said, "The attention of the African Democratic Congress has been drawn to reports that court processes relating to the party are being served on some state chapters of the party and that, in certain instances, legal practitioners have been engaged purportedly on behalf of the party without the knowledge, consent or authority of the National Legal Adviser."

The party emphasized that, according to its constitution, only the National Legal Adviser can instruct lawyers or represent the ADC in legal cases.

It stated, "For the avoidance of doubt and in accordance with the Constitution of the African Democratic Congress, only the National Legal Adviser of the party is authorised to issue letters of instruction to any legal practitioner to represent, act for, or take steps on behalf of the party in any court, tribunal, arbitration, administrative proceeding or other legal process."

As a result, the ADC told all state executives, legal advisers, officers, members, and representatives not to accept or acknowledge any court documents supposedly served on the party through state offices.

The statement continued, "All state chapters, executive committee members, officers especially state legal advisers, members and representatives of the party are hereby directed not to receive, accept, acknowledge, or take custody of any court process purportedly served on the party at any state chapter, state secretariat, local office or through any state officer of the party."

The party also barred state officials from hiring lawyers, filing court documents, making court appearances, or taking any legal steps on behalf of the ADC without written approval from the National Legal Adviser.

The notice said, "No state chapter, state legal adviser, state executive committee member, or any other state-level officer has authority to engage counsel, issue instructions, file processes, enter appearance, concede claims, compromise proceedings, or otherwise represent the legal position of the party without the express written authority of the National Legal Adviser."

The ADC made it clear that court documents served on state chapters would not count as valid service on the party. This is unless a court orders otherwise. In such cases, the party directed that the documents should be sent electronically to the National Legal Adviser without delay.

"Any purported service of court processes on any state chapter or state officer of the party shall not be treated as a valid service on the African Democratic Congress. All such processes must be referred immediately to the National Legal Adviser at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja for appropriate action," the statement added.

The party warned that any officer or chapter that ignores this order or hires lawyers without permission might face disciplinary action under the ADC Constitution.

The statement said, "The leadership of the party expects strict compliance with this directive. Any unauthorized engagement of legal practitioners or handling of court processes in the name of the party may expose the affected officer or chapter to disciplinary measures in accordance with the party constitution and other applicable rules."

This directive shows that the ADC leadership wants to centralize control of legal matters. This comes as the party faces political changes and expected court challenges from the growing opposition coalition on its platform.

Political parties in Nigeria often find themselves in court over leadership disputes, nominations, membership, and internal decisions. This makes coordinated legal representation very important for protecting their interests.