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. 

Ekiti Governorship Poll: Police, INEC assure Safe Distribution of Election Materials, Adequate Security

The police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have assured of adequate security for election materials and personnel ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.

They gave the assurance as the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials commenced across the 16 local government areas.

Speaking during the movement of election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, CP Abayomi Shogunle, said the process was being conducted in a transparent manner with the participation of key stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations and the media.

According to him, the materials are being sorted and distributed to all local government areas under strict security arrangements.

“The process is being coordinated by the Resident Electoral Commissioner. We have representatives of political parties, civil society organisations and the media here to ensure transparency.

“What we are witnessing is the sorting and distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the 16 local government areas,” he said.

Shogunle disclosed that police officers had been deployed to escort the materials from the INEC office to local government headquarters, where they would be secured pending further movement to Registration Area Centres, RACs, and subsequently to polling units on election day.

He explained that security personnel would guard the materials at every stage of the distribution process to ensure they arrive safely at designated polling units before the commencement of voting on Saturday.

Addressing concerns over security in identified flashpoints, including Ilejemeje Local Government Area, the police commissioner said adequate measures had been put in place based on intelligence reports and risk assessments conducted by various stakeholders.

He noted that the election security plan was built on a multi-layered framework approved by the Inspector-General of Police, aimed at preventing any security breach during the poll.

“We have considered different inputs, including intelligence reports and risk assessments. Adequate measures have been put in place to address concerns in areas identified as flashpoints. The security framework is multi-layered, meaning several measures have been deployed to ensure the election is peaceful, free and devoid of violence,” Shogunle stated.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi expressed satisfaction with the distribution process, describing it as smooth and orderly.

“As you can see, everything is going smoothly,” the REC said.

He urged residents of the state to come out en masse on election day and vote for candidates of their choice in a peaceful atmosphere.

“Ekiti has always been peaceful, and we assure the people that we are going to conduct a free, fair, transparent and inclusive election,” he said.

Local government representatives were seen convening the materials from the distribution centre.

Ahead of Saturday’s Rivers South-East senatorial bye-election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has begun the distribution of sensitive electoral materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, office in Port Harcourt.

Speaking with journalists during the exercise, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Rivers State, Dr. Johnson Alalibo, said all sensitive materials were properly secured and remained intact without any form of tampering.

He stated that the materials would be moved under heavy security to the seven local government areas where the election will hold.

Alalibo also expressed confidence that INEC is fully prepared to deliver a credible, transparent and peaceful election on Saturday.

He called on political party agents and election observers to stay alert and ensure that the process is not compromised by any individual or group.

The exercise was witnessed by INEC National Commissioner supervising Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, Prof. May Agbamuche-Mbu, along with RECs from Katsina, Kano and Adamawa states.

Representatives of political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders also observed as officials sorted ballot papers and result sheets for distribution to the seven affected local government areas.