The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nkemakolam Ukandu, to pay a total of N100 million in damages to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu over a suit the court struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, who delivered the ruling on Monday, ordered Ukandu to pay N50 million each to Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu within 14 days.

The order followed an oral application by counsel to the two judges, Mr J. U. K. Igwe, SAN.

Earlier, Justice Ibrahim struck out Ukandu’s suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1165/2026, after finding that the plaintiff had failed to diligently prosecute the matter.

Ukandu had sued the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu over allegations of judicial bias and disobedience to court orders. He sought an order compelling the NJC to investigate claims of corruption, abuse of judicial powers, and bias allegedly committed by the two judges.

However, the plaintiff and his lawyer repeatedly failed to appear before Justice Ibrahim after the case was assigned to him.

The judge had, on June 30, warned that the suit could be dismissed if neither Ukandu nor his counsel appeared at subsequent proceedings.

The case arose from the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC involving an aggrieved party member, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, whose substantive suit is pending before Justice Lifu.

Gombe is seeking a court order restraining the leadership of the party, led by former Senate President David Mark, from presenting themselves as the legitimate leaders of the ADC.

Ukandu, who is seeking to be joined in that case, accused Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu of manifest bias and alleged that they were acting in the interest of certain individuals against the party.

In his originating suit, Ukandu challenged the decision of the Chief Judge to reassign the leadership dispute from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Lifu, arguing that the reassignment violated both an earlier order of Justice Nwite and a decision of the Supreme Court.

The Labour Party has commended the ruling issued by the Court of Appeal, Owerri Judicial Division, on July 2, 2026, describing it as a reaffirmation of the legitimacy of its recognized national leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman to initiate and manage legal proceedings on behalf of the party.

This ruling was delivered in Appeal No. CA/OW/104/2026: Labour Party & 14 Others v. Abia State Independent Electoral Commission & 4 Others, which addresses a pre-election dispute arising from earlier proceedings at the Federal High Court.

According to a statement released on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the appeal had been filed in the name of the Labour Party without the knowledge, consent, or authorization of the party’s recognized national leadership.

The statement further explained that upon discovering the appeal, the National Legal Adviser, Mrs. Taiwo Mary Ajayi, Esq., instructed Mr. C. Okoroafor through a formal letter dated June 22, 2026, to represent the party and take the necessary steps to withdraw the case.

During the proceedings at the Court of Appeal, two different attorneys appeared on behalf of the Labour Party, prompting the court to request documentary evidence confirming their authority to represent the party.

While Mrs. A. Oteh, who initiated the appeal, presented a letter allegedly issued by Mr. C. K. Igara, who claimed to be the Labour Party’s South-East Vice Chairman, Mr. Okoroafor relied on a formal authorization letter from the National Legal Adviser representing the party’s recognized national leadership.

After reviewing the documents, the appellate court acknowledged the authority granted through the Office of the National Legal Adviser as the legitimate representation of the Labour Party.

As a result, Mrs. Oteh withdrew both her representation for the party and the counter-affidavit previously submitted against the application for the withdrawal of the appeal. The court subsequently rejected the appeal and imposed costs of N100,000 against the counsel who acted under the alleged authority of Mr. Igara.

In response to the ruling, the Labour Party stated that the decision reinforces the legal principle that only the officially recognized national leadership of the party, through authorized representatives, has the right to engage legal counsel and to initiate, defend, or maintain legal actions in the name of the party.

The party further asserted that the ruling effectively reaffirmed Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership as the legitimate and legally recognized authority of the Labour Party.

Additionally, it pledged to persist in contesting what it termed as efforts by unauthorized individuals, including Barrister Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to represent the party or conduct legal proceedings on its behalf without proper authority.

Reiterating its dedication to democratic principles, the Labour Party committed to upholding the rule of law, constitutional order, internal party discipline, respect for judicial decisions, and the safeguarding of its corporate identity and institutional integrity.

Aslam Aliyu, an ally of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dumped the party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement, Aliyu said the ADC does not have a concrete rescue plan for Nigeria, stating that her decision followed a long reflection on Nigeria’s political direction and the capacity of the opposition to provide alternative governance.

According to her, for almost two decades, she had worked tirelessly within the political camp of Atiku, noting that throughout the entire period, her loyalty never wavered.

She, however, stressed that after almost two decades of dedicated engagement, it has become undeniably clear that the opposition lacks a meaningful development blueprint or a viable and sustainable national rescue plan.

“The ADC has no concrete plan for the country, other than to criticise the government without bringing a single viable solution to the table. Political culture must move past theatrical criticism and embrace measurable progress.

“I am a mother, calling on patriotic Nigerian youths, women, and forward-thinking opposition members to abandon counterproductive politics and join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she said.

“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa, as Bola Ahmed Tinubu will emerge as the winner of the presidential election come 2027, by the grace of Almighty Allah,” she said.

The Zamfara-born politician further stated that her defection was driven by a desire to contribute more effectively to national development under a structured political platform.