ADC chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has labelled Justice Lifu an APC mole after the judge ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and four other parties, a ruling swiftly stayed by the Court of Appeal
African Democratic Congress chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze on Friday, June 19, 2026, described Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja as an anti-democratic judicial officer acting as a mole for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
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The outspoken politician, who formerly served as National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party, made the remarks in a strongly worded statement issued in reaction to Justice Lifu’s June 15 judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC and four other parties.
Eze accused the judge of overzealousness and of disregarding a Court of Appeal order that had directed him to stay proceedings in the suit.
The appellate court on Tuesday, June 16, unanimously stayed execution of the judgment, describing Justice Lifu’s decision to proceed as the gravest form of judicial misconduct.
“It is not a matter of insinuation or broad daylight allegation or even blackmail,” Eze said. “They don’t want any opposition. Mr President is jittery and paranoid over the forthcoming presidential election.”
He further claimed that some judicial officers, fearing repercussions similar to the 2019 suspension of former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, have compromised their independence.
“Nigeria’s judiciary was kidnapped the day the APC government led by late Muhammadu Buhari attacked, arrested and prosecuted the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, and other Supreme Court justices,” Eze stated.
The controversy centres on whether the affected parties — the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party — met constitutional requirements to remain registered. Justice Lifu had ruled that they failed to secure the necessary votes in previous elections.
However, INEC itself expressed surprise at the ruling, and the Court of Appeal has now preserved the parties’ status pending the outcome of appeals.
Eze commended both the appellate court and INEC for challenging what he termed judicial rascality.
He called on the National Judicial Council to investigate and sanction Justice Lifu to restore public confidence in the judiciary.
The ADC, led by former Senate President Senator David Mark, has positioned itself as a viable platform for opposition voices, including potential 2027 contenders such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
This latest episode highlights the intense political manoeuvring already underway more than a year before the 2027 general elections.
While critics of the ruling administration see it as an attempt to weaken opposition structures, supporters of due process argue that political parties must meet statutory thresholds to justify public resources and ballot access.
The Court of Appeal’s decisive intervention has temporarily eased tensions, yet the episode underscores persistent concerns about perceived bias in high-stakes electoral litigation.
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Further hearings and possible National Judicial Council action are expected in the coming weeks.
