Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a sweeping directive barring all its state chapters and officials from receiving court processes, engaging legal practitioners, or handling any legal matters on behalf of the party without prior written approval from its National Legal Adviser, in a move aimed at centralising all litigation involving the party.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Bolaji Abdullahi, said the directive was prompted by reports that some court processes relating to the ADC were being served on state chapters, and that in certain instances, legal practitioners had been engaged to represent the party without the knowledge, consent, or authority of the National Legal Adviser.
According to the statement, only the National Legal Adviser is constitutionally empowered to issue letters of instruction to legal practitioners, file court processes, enter appearances, or take any legal steps on behalf of the ADC in any court, tribunal, arbitration panel, or other judicial or administrative proceedings. The party warned that no state chapter, state legal adviser, state executive committee member, or any other state-level officer has the 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 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. "Any purported service of court processes on any state chapter or state officer of the party shall not be treated as a valid service on the African Democratic Congress," the statement read. All such processes must be referred immediately to the National Legal Adviser at the party's national headquarters in Abuja for appropriate action.
In instances where court documents are served through substituted means pursuant to a court order, the party directed that such processes should be transmitted electronically to the National Legal Adviser without delay. The party also instructed all state executives, legal advisers, officers, and members not to receive, accept, acknowledge, or take custody of any court process purportedly served on the party through state chapters, state secretariats, or local offices.
The ADC warned that any unauthorised handling of court matters or engagement of legal practitioners on behalf of the party could attract disciplinary sanctions in accordance with the party's constitution and other applicable regulations. "The leadership of the party expects strict compliance with this directive," Abdullahi said. "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 directive takes immediate effect, and the party has urged all state chapters to circulate the notice widely among party officials and members to ensure full compliance. The development comes amid heightened political activity and increasing litigation involving political parties following the formation of the ADC-led opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party's move to centralise legal matters is seen as an effort to prevent rogue litigation and ensure a coordinated legal strategy in all cases involving the ADC.
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