The Accord Party has frowned on the purported de-registration of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that it fully meets all constitutional requirements to be a registered political party in Nigeria.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, in a statement issued on Monday, described calls for its deregistration as baseless and driven by “Ignorance or political mischief.”
Citing Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Omorogbe noted that a political party can only be deregistered on specific grounds, including failure to win at least one seat in a councillorship, state, or national assembly elections, or secure a minimum threshold of votes in presidential or governorship polls.
He stated, “It is evident that our great party, Accord, met this clear provision of the constitution, thus exempted and excluded from de-registration by the electoral umpire.
“The insinuation and rumours peddled by political opponents that Accord would be de-registered due to a matter in court, which the Attorney General and Minister of Justice recently supported, have no effect whatsoever on our party.
“As Nigerians seek to be in one accord, His Excellency Senator Ademola Adeleke of Osun State joined the party along with a Senator, six House of Representatives members, 24 State House of Assembly members, and numerous citizens who align with the Accord progressive ideology of oneness and progress in the quest for sustainable development and democracy.”
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According to him, Zahairu Usman won the Ajaura Ward councillorship in Taura Local Government Area, while Isa Alhaji secured victory in Kanwa Ward, Jahun Local Government Area.
The Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission subsequently issued certificates of return to both candidates.
The party also recalled that it won the Ideato South State House of Assembly seat in Imo State during the April 15, 2023, election. However, the victory was later nullified by an election tribunal.
The party also faulted a group of “self-styled former lawmakers” who reportedly instituted a suit seeking the deregistration of some political parties, including Accord, describing the move as legally untenable.
It further criticised the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for allegedly supporting the suit, accusing him of partisanship and failing to verify the party’s electoral records before taking a position.
“Accord is however constrained to put the record straight following the reaction of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice who is a defendant in the suit but turned round to side the plaintiffs (former lawmakers) to demand for de-registration of the parties listed in the suit in the worst assault on the nation’s democracy and mockery of the esteemed office the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,” Omorogbe stated.
Accord added that INEC recently conducted its annual verification exercise at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, an indication that the commission recognises its compliance with existing regulations.
The development follows a recent move by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who backed a suit filed by some former lawmakers seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.
In processes filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the AGF argued that the continued existence of the affected parties contravenes provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and undermines electoral integrity.
He maintained that unless the court intervenes, INEC would continue to act in breach of its constitutional duty by retaining parties that have allegedly failed to meet the minimum legal requirements.
Aside from the African Democratic Congress, the parties listed in the suit include the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
The AGF, in an affidavit filed through a team of lawyers led by Prof. Joshua Olatoke (SAN), insisted that as the chief law officer of the federation, he is obligated to uphold the Constitution and ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act and other laws regulating political parties in the country.
