Rufus Omeire, the Action Peoples Party, APP, senatorial candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, has called on the National Judicial Council, NJC, to immediately suspend Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over what he described as actions that undermine judicial hierarchy, the rule of law, and democratic governance.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Omeire expressed concern that at a time when Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, economic hardship, and other pressing national challenges, judicial actions capable of creating uncertainty, tension, and instability should not be allowed to persist.
According to him, appellate courts have consistently held that judges who fail to comply with the decisions and directives of superior courts are unfit to remain on the bench.
“As Nigerians continue to grapple with worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and other pressing national challenges, it is deeply troubling that Justice Lifu allegedly appears determined to create further uncertainty and tension through actions that undermine the rule of law and judicial hierarchy, which could lead to anarchy if unchecked,” he said.
Omeire argued that the NJC must act swiftly to protect the credibility and integrity of the judiciary.
“The Court of Appeal has consistently maintained that any judge who disobeys the order or decision of a superior court is unfit to remain on the bench. In light of this established judicial principle, the National Judicial Council must immediately suspend Justice Lifu and commence appropriate disciplinary proceedings,” he stated.
The APP chieftain emphasized that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and should be shielded from conduct capable of eroding public confidence in the administration of justice.
“The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and must be protected from actions capable of eroding public confidence in the administration of justice. If a Federal High Court judge cannot obey the orders and decisions of superior courts, what moral authority would such a judge have to expect compliance with his own orders?” he asked.
Omeire further warned that failure to act decisively could encourage what he described as judicial recklessness.
“Failure to act decisively will send the wrong signal and encourage judicial recklessness. The suspension of Justice Lifu will serve as a deterrent to other judges who may be tempted to disregard established judicial procedures and the supremacy of higher courts,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s democratic system should not be endangered by the conduct of any individual regardless of position.
“Our democracy has been built through years of sacrifice and must not be endangered by the conduct of any selfish and greedy individual, regardless of position,” Omeire said.
The former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Ideato North and Ideato South between 2007 and 2011, also reaffirmed the commitment of the Action Peoples Party to addressing insecurity, economic hardship, and developmental challenges facing residents of Orlu Senatorial Zone, Imo State, and Nigeria as a whole.
“As for our great party, the APP, the fastest growing and most popular political party in Imo State today, we remain committed to constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue aimed at finding lasting solutions to the insecurity, economic hardship, and developmental challenges confronting our people,” he said.
“We will continue to promote policies and ideas that advance security, peace, unity, and prosperity in the Orlu Senatorial Zone, Imo State, and Nigeria at large,” Omeire added.
Justice Lifu recently delivered a judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, APP, Action Alliance, AA, Accord Party, AP, and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.
The ruling generated widespread reactions from opposition political parties and members of the public.
However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday suspended the execution of the judgment pending further legal proceedings.
