The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its weight behind the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over the role of courts in political party disputes, insisting that internal party matters should not be decided by the judiciary.
The party said the position of the NBA has strengthened its argument in an ongoing leadership disagreement, which it described as an attempt by some actors to misuse the court system for political gain.
In a statement released on Saturday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the NBA’s recent warning against the growing trend of taking intra-party issues to court confirms that such legal actions are flawed.
According to the party, the NBA made it clear that courts do not have the power to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties, especially when it comes to leadership matters.
“The NBA’s position is clear and direct: courts have no jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties,” the statement said. “Any attempt to obtain interim or interlocutory orders in such matters goes against the provisions of the Electoral Act.”
The ADC argued that the ongoing dispute within the party is not a genuine legal disagreement but a calculated effort by certain individuals to use the judiciary to achieve political objectives.
“What we are seeing is not a legitimate legal dispute,” the party stated. “It is a planned attempt to use the court process as a political tool, a move the NBA has rightly described as an abuse of court process.”
The development comes at a time when concerns are growing over the increasing number of political cases being brought before the courts, especially as the country gradually moves towards the 2027 general elections.
On Friday, the NBA had issued a statement cautioning against the misuse of the judiciary in resolving party matters. The association stressed that the law is clear on the limits of judicial involvement in such cases.
Citing Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2022, the NBA explained that courts are restricted from interfering in the internal workings of political parties. It also noted that the law does not allow courts to grant interim or interlocutory injunctions in disputes that are purely internal to political parties.
Legal experts have often argued that political parties are voluntary organisations that operate based on their constitutions and guidelines. As such, issues like leadership selection, internal discipline, and membership disputes are expected to be handled within the party structure.
The ADC said the NBA’s position aligns with this long-standing principle and should serve as a warning to those attempting to drag internal matters before the courts.
Reacting further, the party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain neutrality and avoid taking steps that could give legitimacy to what it described as unlawful court actions.
“INEC must remain a neutral umpire, not a participant in political arrangements,” the statement said. “Any court orders obtained in violation of the law are defective and should not be recognised.”
The party also accused some unnamed actors of deliberately trying to create confusion about its leadership by exploiting the judicial system, despite what it described as clear legal provisions.
According to the ADC, such actions, if not checked, could weaken democratic institutions and undermine public confidence in the rule of law.
“We commend the NBA for speaking out and for standing on the side of the law,” the party said. “It is important that institutions remain strong and are not used to serve narrow political interests.”
The party warned that continued disregard for the law in handling political disputes could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s democracy.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot survive in an environment where laws are ignored and institutions are put under pressure,” the statement added. “The manipulation of judicial processes to achieve political outcomes is dangerous and must be resisted.”
Political analysts say the issue of court involvement in party disputes has been a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s democratic journey. In many cases, rival factions within parties have approached the courts to challenge leadership decisions, primary elections, and candidate selections.
While the courts have sometimes intervened, there has been ongoing debate about the extent of such involvement and whether it undermines the independence of political parties.
Observers note that the Electoral Act 2022 was designed, in part, to reduce unnecessary judicial interference in party affairs, while still allowing the courts to step in where there are clear violations of the law.
However, the interpretation and application of these provisions have continued to generate controversy, especially in politically sensitive cases.
For the ADC, the current situation is a test of the country’s commitment to the rule of law and the proper functioning of democratic institutions.
The party insists that respecting the limits of the law is essential to ensuring fairness and stability in the political system.
As the debate continues, all eyes are on key institutions, including the judiciary and INEC, to see how they handle such disputes in the future.
With preparations for the 2027 elections gradually taking shape, stakeholders say it is important to address these issues early to avoid a repeat of past conflicts that have often led to prolonged legal battles and political uncertainty.
For now, the ADC maintains that its position is clear: internal party matters should remain within the party, and any attempt to resolve them through the courts is not only unlawful but also harmful to Nigeria’s democracy.