Young members of the African Democratic Congress submitted a petition against Justice Peter Odo Lifu on Thursday. They're demanding his removal from all cases involving the opposition party.
Comrade Balarabe Rufai signed the petition dated June 18, 2026. It went to the National Judicial Council's Executive Secretary.
Rufai presented the complaint publicly at ADC headquarters. He said security forces had blocked roads to the NJC that morning.
"We demand his immediate removal from all ADC-related matters," the petition stated. It also called for his dismissal from Nigeria's entire judiciary.
Justice Lifu issued a ruling in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 last month. He ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister ADC and four other political parties.
Young party members say the judgment was politically motivated. They argue it shrinks democratic space and creates a two-party system.
According to the youth wing, Justice Lifu ignored a Court of Appeal order. That order had stayed proceedings in the case, they claimed.
"He violated a fundamental legal principle," Rufai told reporters. "This constitutes serious misconduct."
Another issue troubled the petitioners. Plaintiffs allegedly changed their legal identity midway through the case without court approval.
Rufai noted that similar accusations have surfaced in multiple petitions. Even the Boot Party chairman filed comparable complaints, he said.
"Public trust in our courts is eroding," the youth leader stated. "The bench cannot keep compromising itself this way."
He warned that young Nigerians won't accept losing their political rights. "Our generation will be the courtroom of public conscience," Rufai declared.
Security attempts to prevent the petition's delivery angered ADC youth. Heavily armed agents had barricaded NJC entrances on Thursday morning.
This forced the group to present their complaint publicly instead. They read it aloud in front of party headquarters.
Rufai emphasized the ballot box belongs to Nigerian youth. "No court will rob us of political expression," he vowed.
He demanded the NJC act immediately to protect institutional integrity. Complete recusal of Justice Lifu from ADC matters must come first.
Ibrahim Garba Wala represented Rufai during the announcement. Both men stood firm on their position throughout the event.
The petition challenges what it calls "judicial rascality." It accuses the justice of deliberately shrinking democratic space in Nigeria.
Young party members believe a two-party monopoly serves certain interests. Justice Lifu's ruling, they argue, advances this hidden agenda.
Rufai spoke passionately about protecting Nigeria's democratic future. "We cannot watch while compromised benches auction off our rights," he said.
He called the ruling "not an honest legal error." Rather, it's part of a calculated political strategy, he insisted.
The youth wing now awaits the NJC's response to their petition. Observers expect the council to address these serious allegations soon.
ADC youth have made their position unmistakably clear. They'll continue fighting to preserve democratic space for future generations.
