The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Ogun State chapter has raised alarm over what it described as attempts to use the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Olumide Onabajo, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed grave concern over proceedings in a suit instituted against the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in which candidates whose names had already been submitted and uploaded by INEC are being drawn into litigation.
ADC questioned the legal and factual basis for joining its candidates who were not parties to the original action, noting that the suit arose from complaints by aspirants over their disqualification during screening.
The party stressed that its candidates were not responsible for screening or disqualifying any aspirant, as screening is handled by appropriate organs of the party.
“We respectfully ask: on what legal and factual basis should candidates who were not parties to the original dispute suddenly be drawn into litigation arising from complaints by aspirants concerning their screening?” the statement queried.
The Ogun ADC warned that the Federal High Court must not become an instrument for destabilising the party, whether intentionally or inadvertently.
According to the party, it is becoming increasingly concerned about the frequency with which internal disagreements are being taken to court in a manner capable of creating instability.
“The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta must not, whether intentionally or inadvertently, become an avenue through which individuals pursue political objectives that could destabilise our great party in Ogun State.
“Our concern is not an attack on the judiciary. Rather, it is an appeal for the judiciary to remain extremely vigilant so that the judicial process is not weaponised by political actors for purposes beyond the legitimate resolution of legal disputes,” it said.
The party urged the judiciary to protect democracy and not allow litigation to be used to create crisis within political parties, while reaffirming its respect for lawful court orders.
It called on its members, leaders, candidates and supporters across the state to remain calm, united and law-abiding, insisting that no individual ambition should be allowed to destroy the collective aspirations of thousands of ADC members.
The party said it would continue to utilise every legal avenue to protect its integrity, internal processes and the rights of its duly cleared candidates.
Stop using court to destabilise ADC – Ogun chapter warns politicians