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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has directed all its state chapters to stop receiving court documents or engaging lawyers on behalf of the party without approval from its national leadership. The directive, contained in a public notice signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, requires every court process served on the party at the state level to be forwarded immediately to the National Legal Adviser at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. The move comes amid growing litigation involving political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the party, only the National Legal Adviser has the constitutional authority to appoint legal practitioners, file court processes, enter appearances or take any legal action on behalf of the ADC. The party warned state executives, legal advisers and members not to receive, acknowledge or retain court documents served through state offices, stressing that such service would not be recognised as valid. It also prohibited state chapters from hiring lawyers or initiating legal proceedings in the party’s name without express written authorisation from the national legal office.
The ADC said the directive became necessary after reports that some state chapters had been handling legal matters and engaging counsel without the knowledge of the national leadership. It warned that any official or member who violates the directive could face disciplinary action in line with the party’s constitution, while urging all state chapters to ensure immediate compliance.
