The African Democratic Congress in Ogun State has called on its members to refrain from resorting to litigation to settle internal disagreements. Olumide Onabajo, the party's state Publicity Secretary, made the appeal in a statement released on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Onabajo expressed concern about the increasing trend of litigation over issues that could be resolved through dialogue and internal dispute-resolution mechanisms. He emphasized that this trend could undermine the party's growing strength.
Onabajo alleged that some individuals who recently joined the party from other political organizations might be attempting to create divisions and prolong internal disputes through litigation. He stated that the party was concerned about allegations suggesting that certain individuals might not have joined with the genuine intention of strengthening the party. The Publicity Secretary warned that internal divisions could distract the party from its preparations for the forthcoming elections.
The party spokesman argued that disagreements within political parties should not automatically result in court actions. Instead, members should make greater use of dialogue and reconciliation. Onabajo emphasized that the courts must not be converted into alternative meeting rooms for political parties and that litigation should not become a political weapon for frustrating a party or destabilizing its leadership.
Onabajo cited Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act 2026, which restricts the jurisdiction of courts over matters relating to the internal affairs of political parties. He also referred to Section 83(6)(b), which prescribes financial penalties in certain circumstances where actions are filed contrary to the restriction. The party spokesman urged the judiciary to carefully examine disputes involving political parties to determine whether they were genuinely justiciable or merely internal political disagreements.
The party has appealed to its leaders, aspirants, stakeholders, and members in Ogun State to embrace reconciliation and dialogue. Onabajo stated that differences of opinion and competing political ambitions were normal in a democratic organization but should not degenerate into permanent conflicts. He emphasized that disagreements must not become permanent wars and that members should place the party above individual ambition.
Onabajo urged members with grievances to use the party's internal dispute-resolution mechanisms before contemplating litigation. He called on members to sit together, talk, reconcile, and forgive one another where necessary. The Publicity Secretary added that the leadership of the party would continue to welcome genuine members from other political parties, emphasizing that the ADC remained an inclusive political platform open to Nigerians who believed in the party's vision.
The party spokesman concluded that membership of the party must never become a license to destabilize it from within. He emphasized that every unnecessary court action consumed the party's time, resources, and energy that should instead be devoted to mobilization, organization, policy development, and preparation ahead of the 2027 elections. The ADC's appeal is not an attempt to prevent anyone from exercising a lawful right of access to justice but to encourage members to use dialogue and internal mechanisms to resolve disputes.
Key points
- The Ogun State African Democratic Congress urges members to resolve internal disagreements through dialogue and internal dispute-resolution mechanisms instead of litigation.
