ADC Youth Wing Petitions NJC, Seeks Justice Lifu’s Removal

The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday called for the removal of Justice Peter Odo Lifu from all matters relating to the party, submitting a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) over his role in a court ruling that ordered the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties.

The petition, dated June 18, 2026, was signed by the ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NJC. The document was presented to journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, who represented Rufai.

According to the youth wing, attempts to submit the petition directly to the council were unsuccessful due to security restrictions around the NJC premises. The group claimed that roads leading to the council’s office were blocked by security personnel, prompting it to make the contents of the petition public.

In the petition, the ADC youth wing accused Justice Lifu of acting improperly in a case that resulted in a Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five opposition parties, including the ADC. The group argued that the ruling raised concerns about fairness and due process.

The youth leaders also alleged that the judge proceeded with the matter despite the existence of an appellate court order that had suspended further action on the case. They maintained that such a move created doubts about the handling of the proceedings and weakened confidence in the judicial process.

The petition further questioned developments during the court proceedings, including the conduct of the plaintiffs involved in the suit. According to the ADC youth wing, certain actions taken during the case should have received closer scrutiny from the court.

The group stated that similar complaints had been raised in previous petitions by other individuals and organisations, adding that repeated allegations against the judge had contributed to growing public concern about confidence in the judiciary.

The youth wing insisted that Justice Lifu should no longer handle any matter involving the ADC and urged the NJC to investigate the issues raised in the petition. It also called on the council to take disciplinary action if its findings support the allegations made against the judge.

The development follows a ruling by Justice Lifu ordering the deregistration of five opposition parties. The judgment generated reactions from political groups and legal observers across the country. However, the Court of Appeal later issued an order suspending the enforcement of the judgment pending the determination of further legal proceedings.

The ADC youth wing said it would continue to pursue legal and constitutional means to protect the party’s interests while awaiting the response of the National Judicial Council to its petition.