The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has instructed its state chapters and officials to stop independently receiving court processes or engaging lawyers on the party’s behalf. Multiple reports say the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, issued the directive, requiring state chapters to immediately forward any court documents served on them to the ADC’s National Legal Adviser at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
The guidance also limits who can authorize legal representation. The ADC states that only its National Legal Adviser is authorized to issue letters of instruction for legal practitioners to represent or take steps for the party in courts, tribunals, arbitration, administrative proceedings, or other legal processes.
The party warns that officers or chapters that disregard the directive or hire legal practitioners without approval could face disciplinary action under the ADC constitution. Reports add that court processes served on state chapters will not count as valid service on the party unless a court specifically orders substituted service. The move is presented as part of broader efforts to centralize legal control as political activity and litigation related to the run-up to the 2027 elections increase.
