The African Democratic Congress (ADC) issues a directive requiring its state chapters to stop independently handling court matters or engaging legal practitioners. In notices circulated to state officials, the party directs that any court processes served on state chapters be forwarded immediately to the ADC’s National Legal Adviser at its headquarters in Abuja. The ADC also states that only the National Legal Adviser is authorised to issue instructions to lawyers to represent or act for the party in courts, tribunals, arbitration, administrative proceedings, or other legal processes. The party warns that state officers or chapters that disregard the directive or engage lawyers without approval could face disciplinary action under the ADC constitution. ADC further declares that court processes served on state chapters will not be regarded as valid service on the party, unless a court specifically orders substituted service. The move comes as political activity increases and litigation becomes more prominent ahead of the 2027 elections, including developments linked to the party’s coalition arrangements. Sources describe the action as an effort to centralise legal control and coordinate legal representation across the party.