The House of Representatives member representing Ideato Federal Constituency, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to sanction Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over a judgment ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Ugochinyere said the ruling poses a threat to democracy and judicial credibility.
He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and NJC members to urgently review the decision, which he said could undermine democratic institutions.
Ugochinyere said while some judges act within the law, others engage in conduct that is reckless and dangerous to public trust in the judiciary.
He referred to Section 225A of the Fourth Alteration Act (2017), which sets conditions under which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can deregister political parties.
These include failure to win a minimum number of votes or at least one legislative or council seat in an election
Ugochinyere noted that the ADC had won two seats in the House of Representatives in the 2023 general election.
He also cited local government elections won by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Abia, Action Peoples Party (APP) and Action Alliance (AA) in Rivers and Accord Party in Jigawa State as conditions for their continued registration.
“This judge (Justice Lifu) ignored judgments of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He said it does not matter,” stated the lawmaker.
Ugochinyere further mentioned prior court decisions affirming that the parties meet the requirements for continued registration.
He cited rulings by Justices Onna and Nicholas I. Oweibo, as well as a Court of Appeal decision which affirmed the validity of the parties.
“The Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court have spoken, but this judge said it does not matter,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, Ugochinyere said, had also filed responses confirming that the parties met constitutional requirements.
He accused Justice Lifu of ignoring the Court of Appeal order staying proceedings and notifying lawyers of the judgment on short notice.
Ugochinyere warned that the ruling could weaken political participation ahead of the 2027 elections and urged NJC, the judiciary, and the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene.
He reiterated that failure to act could erode confidence in the justice system.
(The Whistler)