The ADC 2023 Candidates Forum, alongside the Forum of Youth Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Conference of ADC State Chairmen, has announced plans to institute legal action at the Federal High Court over what it described as constitutional and regulatory violations within the party.
Spokesperson of the coalition, Zakari Burra, said in a press statement sent to our correspondent that the move was driven by the need to uphold legality and protect democratic principles within the party.
“This action is not factional, not adversarial, and not targeted at any individual or coalition. It is a principled step aimed at restoring legality, institutional integrity, and democratic accountability within our party,” Burra said.
The groups stressed that the decision is anchored on provisions of the ADC Constitution (2022), the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Burra, the alleged infractions include breaches of due process, lack of transparency, exclusion of members, and the operation of what he termed “unconstitutional or parallel structures.”
“There have been clear violations of our party constitution, including failure to follow due process in convening meetings, lack of statutory notice, and unauthorised alterations to party leadership structures,” he stated.
He added that such actions also contravene national laws governing political parties.
“The Nigerian Constitution requires that political parties operate democratically, while the Electoral Act mandates proper notification to INEC and adherence to transparent processes. These provisions have not been complied with,” he said.
The spokesperson warned that continued non-compliance could have serious legal consequences for the party.
“Failure to adhere to the Electoral Act, particularly in candidate selection processes, could lead to the invalidation of party actions and even exclusion of candidates from elections,” he noted.
Burra further disclosed that the suit would include key stakeholders across all sides of the dispute to ensure fair hearing and comprehensive adjudication.
“All relevant parties, including individuals and groups connected to the issues in question, will be joined in the suit. This is purely to ensure that the court is able to address all concerns and bind necessary parties,” he explained.
The groups said the court action seeks to enforce compliance with established laws, promote transparency, and preserve the integrity of the party.
“Our objective is to obtain judicial clarity on lawful procedures, strengthen internal democracy, and ensure accountability across all structures of the party,” Burra added.
He called on party members, INEC, and the general public to support the move.
“We urge all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at upholding the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions, and ensuring that political processes are conducted in line with Nigeria’s legal framework,” he said.
The coalition maintained that the action was taken in good faith and remains open to resolution.
“This is about the future of the party and the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy. We remain open to all stakeholders committed to legality, transparency, and unity,” Burra said.
The groups added that further updates would be communicated as the legal process unfolds.
