2027: Accord Party dismisses alleged deregistration speculation by INEC
The Accord Party has urged Nigerians to disregard speculations suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may deregister the party, insisting it fully meets constitutional requirements to remain registered.
The Accord Party has urged Nigerians to disregard speculations suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may deregister the party, insisting it fully meets constitutional requirements to remain registered.
In a statement on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, said despite a court case seeking its deregistration, Accord remains firmly established as a political party under Nigerian law.
He noted that the party currently has representation at multiple levels of government, including one governor, one senator, six members of the House of Representatives, 24 state House of Assembly members, and one councillor, which he said satisfies the legal threshold for continued registration.
Omorogbe acknowledged that the party is aware of a suit that listed it among parties allegedly to be deregistered, but maintained that its electoral performance demonstrates otherwise.
He referenced previous electoral victories, including seats won in state elections in Imo State, which were later overturned by a tribunal, as well as wins in Jigawa State local government elections, which he said further affirm its active political presence.
“The national leadership of Accord states categorically that the party cannot be de-registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as it fulfills the constitutional requirements for its registration,” the statement read.
“There is no basis whatsoever to contemplate the de-registration of Accord.
“In a public show of ignorance or mischief, some self seeking politicians who style themselves as former lawmakers and went to court in an attempt to de-register some political parties including Accord for what they claimed was their failure to win a seat in the 2023 general election as required by extant electoral governance, unaware that it is a mission impossible.
“Although Accord won the Ideato South State House of Assembly election conducted on 15th April 2023, in Imo State, and a certificate of return issued to the party's candidate, Hon. Vitalis Azodo duly signed by the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu on 19th April 2023, this clear mandate of the people given to Accord was however, nullified by the election tribunal in the state.
“In Jigawa State, Hon. Zahairu Usman won the Ajaura Ward Councillorship in Taura Local Government Area, while Hon. Isa Alhaji won the Kanwa Ward Councillorship in Jahum Local Government Area of the state, conducted by the Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission (JSIEC) on 5th October 2024, and were issued certificates of return by the JSIEC Chairman, Hon. Auwalu Mohammed Harbo on 6th October 2024”.
Omeregbe said further that section 225A of the 1999 Constitution which speaks about de-registration of political party provides ground under which a political party can be deregistered.
The section, he said provides that, “The Independent National Electoral Commission shall have power to de-register a political party for –(a) breach of any of the requirements for registration; (b) failure to win at least twenty-five percent of votes cast in, (i) one State of the Federation in a Presidential election, or (ii) one Local Government of the State in a Governorship election.”
It also states that a party can be deregistered for failure to win at least- (i) one ward in the Chairmanship election, (ii) one seat in the National or State House of Assembly election, or (iii) one seat in the Councillorship election.”
He said further, “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 support has no effect whatsoever on our party.
“On the contrary, Nigerians have been trooping into Accord as the most peaceful, stable and viable platform to rescue and salvage Nigeria from myriad of challenges confronting it.
“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.
“Conscious of the political mischief of the so-called former lawmakers in instituting a suit to de-register Accord, aware that they are ex-lawmakers who are not conversant with the political realities in the country and use the suit to be relevant, our great party ignored them waiting for the court to decide the matter as Accord is not affected by the case.
“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.
“It is extremely partisan and unfortunate that the number one law officer of the federation could not go through the court processes with him nor find out from Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission (JSIEC) the true position of Accord electoral victories in the state before joining those who seek the de-registration of our party.
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“INEC recently conducted its annual verification exercise at Accord national secretariat, Abuja, knowing that our great party meets the constitutional requirements, the Electoral Act and the commission's regulations and guidelines that enable it to function.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Accord is firmly rooted in the country's democratic structure, won elections and have a governor, senator, national and state legislators, and councillors nationwide.
“Nigerians should disregard the unfortunate rumour of Accord to be de-registered. It remains what it is, a mere rumour by political jobbers and disgruntled elements who are unsettled and afraid of the party's national acceptance by citizens that will retire them from their stomach infrastructure politics.
“Accord is ready for the upcoming elections and urges fellow compatriots to identify with the party to make Nigeria great again. The plots to destabilise the party has failed again. Accord is waxing stronger and stronger daily, and has become the most beautiful bride of Nigerian democracy. It is a moving train that will take the long-suffering compatriots to the Promised Land of economic prosperity, political stability, socio-religious harmony and national security.”
