The African Democratic Congress has endorsed the position of the Nigerian Bar Association that courts do not have jurisdiction over internal party affairs, describing it as a confirmation of its stance in the ongoing leadership tussle.
In a statement released on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the NBA’s caution against the misuse of court processes validates its claim that legal challenges to its leadership lack merit.
“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 read.
The party maintained that the situation is not a genuine legal dispute but rather an effort to manipulate the judicial system for political advantage.
“What we are witnessing is not a legitimate legal dispute. It is a coordinated effort to weaponize the judicial process for political ends — a strategy the NBA has rightly described as an abuse of court process,” it stated.
This comes amid concerns raised by the Nigerian Bar Association over increasing attempts to drag courts into intra-party conflicts ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite provisions in the Electoral Act 2022 limiting such actions.
The NBA had earlier warned that courts should not entertain cases relating to internal party matters, citing Section 83 of the Act, which restricts judicial involvement and prohibits interim or interlocutory injunctions in such disputes.
Reacting further, the ADC urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to remain impartial and avoid actions that could legitimise what it described as unlawful judicial interference.
“INEC must remain a neutral arbiter, not a participant in political engineering,” the party said, adding that any orders obtained in violation of the law “are fundamentally defective and cannot stand.”
The party also alleged that certain actors are attempting to use the courts to create confusion over its leadership, despite clear legal provisions.
“We commend the NBA for its courage in calling out these practices and for reaffirming that the rule of law must not be subordinated to political expediency,” it added.
It further warned that ignoring established legal provisions could weaken democratic institutions and processes in the country.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot survive a system where laws are ignored, institutions are pressured, and judicial processes are manipulated to achieve predetermined political outcomes,” the statement said.
The party reiterated its commitment to pursuing lawful means to defend its leadership and uphold what it described as the integrity of the democratic process.