Dino Melaye fires back at Buba Galadima over alleged comments on Justice Lifu’s health

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has faulted elder statesman Buba Galadima for allegedly attributing comments about the health of Federal High Court judge, Justice Peter Lifu, to him, insisting that he never discussed the judge’s medical condition.

Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed surprise at Galadima’s remarks, accusing him of misrepresenting his position amid controversy over reports of the judge’s illness.

In a post on his X account on Saturday, the former lawmaker said he was shocked to hear that Galadima had linked him to comments about the judge’s health.

“I was extremely shocked to hear that Alhaji Buba Galadima mentioned that I made comments on Justice Lifu’s health. It is most unfortunate because I never made any comment on Justice Lifu’s,” Melaye stated.

He subsequently took a swipe at the elder statesman, suggesting that advancing age might be affecting his recollection.

“Old age must be catching up with Buba Galadima. Now I know you can’t cure old age, you can only manage it,” he added.

The exchange followed Galadima’s appearance on African Independent Television (AIT) on Wednesday, where he criticised some ADC members over their reported reactions to the illness of Justice Lifu.

Galadima questioned why opposition politicians would appear pleased by reports that the judge, who delivered a controversial ruling against the ADC leadership, was ill and might travel abroad for medical treatment.

He argued that the judge’s possible absence could complicate the party’s efforts to appeal the judgment, particularly because another judge could not sign the records of proceedings in Lifu’s absence.

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“I just found out that maybe there aren’t intelligent people in the ADC,” Galadima said, questioning the party members’ understanding of the potential implications of the judge’s absence.

He also referenced information that Melaye had announced the ADC obtained a certified true copy of the judgment before discussing the reported illness and the party’s reaction.

The controversy is linked to the November 5 judgment delivered by Justice Lifu in the leadership dispute involving the ADC, Senator David Mark and former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola.

The Federal High Court set aside resolutions of the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, through which Mark and Aregbesola emerged as national officers.

The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or dealing with the affected individuals as the party’s national officers.

The ADC has indicated its intention to appeal the ruling, while the reported health challenges of the presiding judge have generated further debate over the party’s legal options.

Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had maintained that the judge’s possible absence could create complications for the opposition party’s legal challenge