The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has directed all its state chapters to stop receiving court documents or hiring lawyers on behalf of the party without approval from its national leadership.

The directive, issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, requires every state chapter to forward any court process served on the party to the National Legal Adviser at the ADC national headquarters in Abuja.

The move comes as political activities and legal disputes increase ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the party, it has received reports that some court documents were being served on state chapters, while lawyers were allegedly engaged to represent the party without the knowledge or approval of its National Legal Adviser.

“The attention of the African Democratic Congress has been drawn to reports that court processes relating to the party are being served on some state chapters of the party and that, in certain instances, legal practitioners have been engaged purportedly on behalf of the party without the knowledge, consent or authority of the National Legal Adviser,” the statement said.

The ADC stressed that its constitution gives only the National Legal Adviser the authority to appoint lawyers or take legal action on behalf of the party.

“Only the National Legal Adviser of the party is authorised to issue letters of instruction to any legal practitioner to represent, act for, or take steps on behalf of the party in any court, tribunal, arbitration, administrative proceeding or other legal process,” the party stated.

The party also instructed state executives, legal advisers and other officials not to receive, acknowledge or keep any court documents served on the party through state offices.

It further warned that state chapters and officials have no authority to appoint lawyers, file legal documents, appear in court or make legal decisions for the party without written approval from the National Legal Adviser.

The ADC added that court papers served on state chapters would not be recognised as valid service on the party unless a court specifically orders substituted service. In such cases, the documents must be sent immediately to the National Legal Adviser electronically.

The party warned that any official or chapter that violates the directive or hires lawyers without authorisation could face disciplinary action under the party’s constitution.

The dust raised by the May 16, 2026 House of Representatives primary election conducted by the All Progressive Congress, APC in Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal constituency of Abia State has refused to settle.

This is despite the recent statement by the party in the State affirming Chris Nkwonta as the winner of the primary.

Abia State chapter of the APC had on July 1, 2026 , reiterated that the primary election was won by the incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Chris Nkwonta, dismissing any suggestion to the contrary.

But on Sunday, a large group of APC members from the oil producing area of Ukwa East and Ukwa Federal constituency gathered at Oforji Road, off Port Harcourt Road in Obehie, Ukwa West LGA of Abia State to insist that the APC House of Representatives ticket was won by their son, Samuel Nwogu, the former Chairman of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ASOPADEC.

The pro-Nwogu people, who appeared with placards, comprised members of New Ukwa Progressive Initiative, NUPI,  Asa Development Union, ADA,  Renewed Hope Ambassadors, among other indigenes.

The leaders, who spoke through Akanwa Franklin, Boniface Nwaigwe, among others, said the House of Representatives seat had been occupied by a particular section of the constituency for twenty years consecutively.

While thanking President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Chairman Professor Nenwata Yilwatda for maintaining equity and fairness on the primary election, the Ukwa leaders warned of anything that could destroy the peace in the oil producing villages.

However, another group of APC leaders  oyal  to the incumbent House of Representatives member, Chris Nkwonta, have held a press conference to declare that Nkwonta remained the  APC House of Representatives candidate for 2027 election.

The pro-Nkwonta group who gathered at Akwete, Ukwa East LGA on Tuesday, countered any move to announce Samuel Nwogu as the candidate.

 In a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman of APC in Ukwa East LGA, Chiwuike Ekeke, Chairman of APC in Ukwa West LGA,  Success Enyinnaya, among others, they said the APC ticket for the Federal constituency was won by Nkwonta.

They stressed that Nkwonta’s victory was officially announced by the Chairman of the Abia State National Assembly Primary Elections Committee constituted by the National Working Committee, Erasmus Cishak, and insisted that his candidature had neither been substituted nor withdrawn at any time.

The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Olajide Esan, has called for sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s political system, saying the current structure discourages competent citizens from seeking public office.

Esan made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Guest Platform, where he outlined his vision for governance, economic development, and social welfare in Osun State.

According to him, the existing political system requires major adjustments because it has failed to produce the desired level of development.

He argued that the structure favours individuals who regard politics and governance as a business rather than public service.

“The system doesn’t allow people with ideas, but those who see politics and governance as a business to run for office. It is not sustainable, and this is one of the reasons why I decided to run for office,” Esan said.

The AAC candidate stated that his administration would promote participatory governance by giving residents greater involvement in decision-making processes.

He said governance should be people-centred and designed to reflect the aspirations of citizens across the state.

He also criticised the country’s political leadership since 1999, alleging that Nigeria has continued to recycle political leaders while nepotism has become increasingly entrenched.

“Leadership should be based on service and not imposition. Nigeria has too many politicians but not leaders,” he said.

Esan argued that poverty and ignorance had been used to manipulate citizens, adding that his administration would encourage stronger interfaith relationships to promote unity and discourage divisions among communities.

On social welfare, the governorship hopeful pledged to devote his entire salary to the welfare of senior citizens if elected.

He also proposed the creation of a comprehensive Osun residents’ database to improve planning and service delivery across the state.

The AAC candidate unveiled a proposal for an Osun Child Trust Fund, explaining that every child born in the state would have a dedicated investment account until the age of 18 to support higher education or provide start-up capital for a business.

Speaking on traditional institutions, Esan said a defined percentage of local government revenue should be allocated to traditional rulers to strengthen their roles in community development while ensuring they remain outside partisan politics.

On agriculture, he advocated an agro-based economy and stressed the need for policies that protect local agricultural practices. He expressed concern over the adoption of genetically modified organisms, saying Africa should carefully assess such technologies before their widespread implementation.

Addressing the mining sector, Esan alleged that the benefits of illegal mining were being enjoyed by a few individuals instead of the people.

He said tackling illegal mining forms part of the AAC manifesto, adding, “Leaders are the ones benefitting from the proceeds of illegal mining. Curtailing illegal mining is part of our manifesto because the proceeds of mining are meant for the people of Osun State.”