Adeleke Rejects Court-Ordered Deregistration of Accord, Vows Re-Election Campaign Will Continue

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has strongly challenged a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the Accord Party, insisting that the ruling conflicts with an existing Court of Appeal directive and will not affect his bid for a second term in office.

The controversy follows a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including Accord, over their alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements. The affected parties include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Reacting to the judgment, Governor Adeleke described the decision as a violation of a subsisting order of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier directed a stay of proceedings in the matter. According to the governor, the appellate court had already ruled that the delivery of judgment formed part of the proceedings that should not continue pending the determination of the appeal.

In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke expressed surprise that the lower court proceeded to deliver a verdict despite the appellate court’s intervention. He maintained that the legal process had not been exhausted and that the judgment would be challenged through appropriate legal channels.

The governor, who is seeking re-election under the Accord platform in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, reassured supporters that the party would remain on the ballot. He urged residents of the state to remain calm and continue mobilising for the election while awaiting further judicial pronouncements.

“We will be on the ballot,” Adeleke said, expressing confidence that the Court of Appeal would ultimately affirm the rights of the party and its candidates. He also confirmed that the launch of his re-election campaign would proceed as scheduled despite the court ruling.

The deregistration suit was initiated by plaintiffs who argued that the affected parties failed to satisfy constitutional requirements for continued registration. Nigerian law provides that political parties may face deregistration if they fail to secure prescribed electoral thresholds, including winning elective positions or attaining a minimum percentage of votes in elections.

Political observers say the outcome of the legal battle could have significant implications for the political landscape ahead of several upcoming elections. However, with appeals already underway, the final status of the affected parties remains subject to further judicial review.

For now, Governor Adeleke and the Accord Party appear determined to press ahead with their campaign activities while awaiting a definitive ruling from the appellate courts.