Melaye Denies Commenting on Justice Lifu’s Health, Hits Back at Buba Galadima

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has denied making comments about the health of Federal High Court judge, Justice Peter Lifu, following criticism by elder statesman Buba Galadima.

Melaye, in a post on his X account on Saturday, November 14, expressed surprise that Galadima mentioned his name while discussing reports of the judge’s illness.

He insisted that he had never made any statement about Lifu’s health and accused Galadima of misrepresenting his position.

“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 health,” Melaye wrote.

He also took a personal swipe at Galadima, suggesting that his age was affecting his memory.

“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.

Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had criticised members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over their reported reaction to Lifu’s illness.

Speaking during an interview on African Independent Television (AIT) on Wednesday, Galadima questioned why some ADC members were reportedly celebrating the judge’s illness after he delivered a ruling against the party.

He also referred to Melaye while discussing reports that the ADC had obtained a certified true copy of the judgment.

Galadima argued that the judge’s possible absence from the country for medical treatment could delay the party’s appeal, claiming that the records of proceedings required for the appeal could not be signed by another judge while Lifu was away.

The controversy follows a November 5 judgment by Justice Lifu in a leadership dispute involving the ADC. The court set aside resolutions of the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting of July 29, 2025, through which Senator David Mark and former Minister of Interior, Rauf 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 challenge the ruling.

Melaye’s response maintains that he did not comment on the judge’s health, rejecting the impression created by Galadima’s remarks.