Labour Party Accuses Judge of Bias, Faults Ruling on ADC, Party Leadership Dispute

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Labour Party has criticised a recent court ruling ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and five other political parties, accusing Justice Peter Lifu of judicial bias and alleging that his decisions pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party said it was concerned about what it described as a growing erosion of judicial standards, claiming that it had been one of the worst affected by Justice Lifu’s rulings.

The party alleged that the judge ignored established legal principles in delivering judgments, particularly in matters relating to party leadership and internal affairs.

Ifoh said the Labour Party remained dissatisfied with a Federal High Court judgment delivered in 2025 concerning the party’s leadership dispute involving its National Chairman, Julius Abure, and a faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman.

According to the party, the case was initially assigned to another judge before being reassigned to Justice Lifu, a development it described as suspicious.

The Labour Party further alleged that it was denied adequate opportunity to respond to issues raised during the proceedings, arguing that the principle of fair hearing was not fully observed.

Ifoh claimed that Justice Lifu’s rulings contradicted established legal doctrines, including the position that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters and that lower courts cannot interpret or enforce Supreme Court decisions.

The party also expressed concern that the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment, but said it remained hopeful that the Supreme Court would review the matter and deliver what it described as justice.

The Labour Party warned that judicial decisions perceived as politically influenced could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and threaten democratic governance.

It called on the Supreme Court to uphold the rule of law and safeguard democratic institutions, insisting that the country’s democracy, electoral process and constitutional order must be protected.

The judiciary has not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the Labour Party’s statement.