ADC Youth Wing alleges judicial bias, seeks NJC intervention over party deregistration Order

By Musa Baba Adamu

The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused a Federal High Court judge of judicial misconduct and political bias, alleging that a recent court ruling seeking the deregistration of the party was part of a broader effort to weaken opposition politics in Nigeria.
The group, alongside leaders of civil society organizations aligned with the party, on Thursday called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate Justice Peter Odo Lifu and bar him from handling any future matters involving the ADC.
Speaking at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, represented by Ibrahim Garba Wala, claimed that the judge’s conduct in a suit challenging the party’s status had raised serious concerns about the independence of the judiciary.
The youth wing specifically faulted Justice Lifu’s judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, which reportedly directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.
According to the group, the ruling was not only politically damaging but also allegedly delivered in defiance of an existing Court of Appeal order that had stayed proceedings on the matter.
“The judgment represents a direct assault on democratic participation and opposition politics,” the group stated, alleging that the court proceeded despite legal restrictions and established judicial precedents.
The ADC youth leaders further questioned the handling of the case, alleging procedural irregularities, including what they described as unexplained alterations to the identity of the plaintiffs during the proceedings.
They warned that such actions risk undermining public confidence in the judiciary and weakening citizens’ faith in democratic institutions.
The group also alleged that security operatives prevented its members from accessing the National Judicial Council headquarters to submit a formal petition against the judge, forcing them to present their grievances publicly.
Consequently, the ADC youth wing is demanding that the NJC investigate the allegations, remove Justice Lifu from all cases relating to the party, and take disciplinary action if misconduct is established.
The group vowed to sustain its campaign until the judicial oversight body addresses its concerns, insisting that the integrity of the judiciary and the rights of opposition parties must be protected.