The Accord Party in Oyo State has rejected a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the party itself.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Monday, directed INEC to deregister Accord Party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), citing their alleged failure to meet the 25 per cent vote requirement in the last election as stipulated by the constitution.
Reacting to the judgment in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Secretary of the Accord Party in Oyo State, Hon. Olayinka Dairo, said the party disagreed with the decision, insisting that it remains a valid political platform with elected representatives at various levels of government.
He argued that the presence of elected councillors under the party made its inclusion in the deregistration list unjustifiable.
“We have like two or three councillors, and they are also elected. So all the reasons they have been giving that Accord is part of the parties that were deregistered is not realistic; I wonder why Accord is listed,” he said.
Dairo further disclosed that the Accord party has already filed an appeal against the ruling and will also seek a stay of execution pending the outcome of the appeal.
When asked if the appeal had been formally lodged, he responded affirmatively, saying, “Definitely, 100 per cent. We have appealed the case in Abuja because we saw this coming earlier.”
The judgment stemmed from Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the affected political parties.
BACKSTORY…
The Accord Party’s rejection of the deregistration order follows a Federal High Court judgment that directed INEC to remove several political parties from its register over alleged failure to meet constitutional performance requirements.
The ruling has sparked pushback from affected parties, who argue that they remain valid political structures with elected representatives and active grassroots presence. Accord’s reaction reflects wider concerns among the listed parties over the implications of the judgment for political participation ahead of future elections, as legal steps are now being taken to challenge the decision.
