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The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), demanding the immediate removal of Justice Peter Odo Lifu from all matters relating to the party and calling for his dismissal from the Nigerian judiciary.
The petition, dated June 18, 2026, was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NJC and signed by the ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai.
The petition was publicly presented at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja by Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, who represented the youth leader during a media briefing.
According to the ADC Youth Wing, attempts to submit the petition directly to the NJC were allegedly frustrated by the presence of heavily armed security operatives who reportedly barricaded roads leading to the council's office.
Speaking during the briefing, the youth leaders expressed concern over what they described as actions capable of undermining Nigeria's democratic process and judicial independence.
The petition specifically challenged Justice Lifu's ruling in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, in which he ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five opposition political parties, including the ADC.
According to the petitioners, the judgment was not merely a legal error but a politically motivated decision aimed at reducing democratic participation and strengthening a two-party political structure in the country.
"We demand the immediate and total removal of Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu from any and all adjudicatory matters, reviews, or decision-making roles concerning the ADC," the petition stated.
The youth wing further alleged that Justice Lifu proceeded with the judgment despite an existing Court of Appeal order that had reportedly stayed proceedings in the matter.
According to the ADC, such action amounted to a violation of established judicial principles and constituted gross misconduct.
The petition also accused the trial court of overlooking procedural irregularities involving the plaintiffs in the case, alleging that changes were made to the legal identity of the plaintiffs during the proceedings without proper judicial authorization.
The ADC youth leaders argued that repeated allegations against Justice Lifu in various petitions from different political stakeholders have contributed to growing public concerns about confidence in the judiciary.
"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," the petition read.
The group maintained that Nigerian youths would continue to defend democratic values and resist any attempt to undermine their political rights through what they described as questionable judicial actions.
The youth wing therefore called on the NJC to investigate the allegations, recuse Justice Lifu from all matters involving the ADC, and commence disciplinary proceedings that could lead to his removal from the bench.
The controversy follows Justice Lifu's ruling directing INEC to deregister five opposition political parties, including the ADC.
However, the judgment sparked widespread reactions from political stakeholders and civil society groups, leading the Court of Appeal to subsequently grant a stay of execution, temporarily halting the implementation of the ruling pending further legal proceedings.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the National Judicial Council nor Justice Peter Odo Lifu had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition.
The development is expected to generate further debate regarding judicial accountability, political participation, and the future of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.