The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has directed all its state chapters nationwide to stop receiving court processes or engaging lawyers on behalf of the party without the express authorisation of its national leadership.
The directive was contained in a public notice issued by the party and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The party directed all state chapters, state legal advisers, executive committee members, officers, members and representatives to immediately forward any court documents involving the ADC to the National Legal Adviser at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The development comes amid increasing political activity and litigation involving political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly following moves by opposition figures to build a coalition around the ADC platform.
In the notice, the party said its attention had been drawn to reports that court processes relating to the ADC were being served on some state chapters.
It also said it had received reports that some legal practitioners had allegedly been engaged to represent the party without the knowledge, consent or authority of the National Legal Adviser.
“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 statement read.
The ADC maintained that, under its constitution, only the National Legal Adviser has the authority to issue letters of instruction to any legal practitioner to represent, act for or take steps on behalf of the party in any legal proceeding.
According to the party, this applies to matters before courts, tribunals, arbitration panels, administrative proceedings and other legal processes.
“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,” it stated.
Consequently, the party directed all state chapters and officers not to receive, accept, acknowledge or take custody of any court process purportedly served on the ADC at any state chapter, state secretariat, local office or through any state officer.
The party also barred state officials from appointing lawyers, filing processes, entering appearances, conceding claims, compromising proceedings or taking any legal step in the name of the ADC without the express written approval of the National Legal Adviser.
“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 notice added.
The ADC further declared that any court process served on a state chapter or state officer would not be treated as valid service on the party.
It directed that all such documents must be referred immediately to the National Legal Adviser at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja for appropriate action.
The party, however, stated that where a court has ordered substituted service through a state chapter, such court processes must be transmitted electronically to the National Legal Adviser without delay.
The ADC warned that any state chapter or officer who disregards the directive or engages legal practitioners without authorisation may face disciplinary measures under the party’s constitution and other applicable rules.
“The leadership of the party expects strict compliance with this directive. Any unauthorised 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,” the statement said.
The directive is seen as a move by the ADC national leadership to centralise and coordinate legal strategy as the party navigates political realignments and likely court challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political parties in Nigeria often face litigation over leadership disputes, nominations, membership issues and internal decisions, making coordinated legal representation critical to protecting party interests.