Party Deregistration: ADC youth wing petitions NJC, demands Lifu’s removal

The National Youth Wing of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC) has written a formal petition against Justice Peter Odo Lifu, demanding his removal “from any and all adjudicatory matters, reviews, or decision-making roles concerning the ADC.”

The petition, dated June 18, 2026, was addressed to the Executive Secretary, National Judicial Council (NJC), and signed by the ADC’s national youth leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai. 

While reading the content of the petition to media in front of the ADC National Secretariat, Comrade Rufai, who was represented by Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, alleged that there were attempts to prevent them from submitting the petition at the NJC. 

According to him, all roads leading to the NJC, on Thursday were barricaded by heavily armed security agents; hence, the need to present the petition to the public. 

The petition reads, “We demand the immediate, total removal of Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu from any and all adjudicatory matters, reviews, or decision-making roles concerning the ADC. Furthermore, given his pattern of flagrant judicial rascality, we explicitly demand that the National Judicial Council recommend his absolute dismissal from the Nigerian judiciary to preserve the fading credibility of the bench.

“Our democratic architecture is under a coordinated assault by compromised custodians of the law. Under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu delivered a highly controversial ruling ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties. This judgment is not an honest legal error; it is a calculated, politically motivated act designed to shrink the democratic space in Nigeria and artificially consolidate a two-party monopoly.”

While lamenting what he described as “legal distortions and judicial rascality tying Justice Lifu to this systemic compromise,” the ADC Youth leader said, “Justice Lifu brazenly proceeded with this judgment despite a binding Court of Appeal order that explicitly stayed proceedings on this matter, a move that subverts the sacred doctrine of stare decisis and constitutes gross misconduct.”

“The bench looked away as the plaintiffs, the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, clandestinely altered their legal personality midway through the process without a valid court order.

“While the NJC has previously dismissed certain claims due to standard procedural hurdles, the persistence of these identical accusations across multiple petitions—including those by the Chairman of the Boot Party—proves a systemic erosion of public trust.

“We cannot watch the political rights of millions of young Nigerians be auctioned off by compromised benches. The continuous involvement of Justice Lifu in ADC affairs completely destroys public trust and makes a mockery of fair hearings. As the protectors of our nation’s future, we declare that when the bench compromises its integrity, the youth will become the courtroom of public conscience. The ballot box belongs to us, and we will not allow any court to rob us of our political expression.”

“Until the Council acts to protect institutional integrity, enforces discipline, completely recuses this individual from our affairs, and begins the process for his immediate sack from the bench. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Nigerian youth during a live protest.”

This comes as Lifu, in a judgment, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister five opposition parties, including ADC. 

However, following widespread condemnation, the appeal court ordered a stay of execution of the judgment. 

Party Deregistration: ADC youth wing petitions NJC, demands Lifu’s removal