The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has endorsed the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), maintaining that courts should not be involved in resolving internal conflicts within political parties.
In a statement released in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi said the NBA’s recent comments against judicial interference reinforced ADC’s long-standing stance on the issue.
Abdullahi argued that ongoing legal actions targeting the leadership led by Sen. David Mark were inconsistent with Nigeria’s electoral laws.
He described the cases as attempts to use the judiciary for political advantage rather than genuine legal redress.
According to him, the disputes currently before the courts do not constitute legitimate legal challenges but are part of a broader effort to destabilise the party’s leadership.
He alleged that some individuals were engaging in practices such as forum shopping.and filing multiple suits in different courts to influence outcomes.
The ADC spokesperson emphasized that any court ruling obtained outside the provisions of the law should not be considered valid or enforceable.
He expressed concern over what he described as persistent attempts to create confusion around the party’s leadership through legal channels.
Abdullahi commended the Nigerian Bar Association for warning against misuse of the judiciary and for defending the principles of the rule of law.
He noted that the NBA’s call for disciplinary action against erring lawyers highlights the seriousness of the issue.
The ADC also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain neutrality and avoid recognising processes that may conflict with the Electoral Act.
Abdullahi added that the matter goes beyond internal party disagreements, stressing that it touches on the broader protection of Nigeria’s democratic system.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to pursuing lawful means to defend its leadership structure and uphold democratic values.
