Accord hails court ruling restoring party, four others to INEC register

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The national leadership of the Accord Party has applauded the Court of Appeal for overturning the Federal High Court judgment that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the party and four others, describing the ruling as a triumph for democracy, the rule of law and due process.

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In a statement issued late Tuesday night, the National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, said the appellate court’s verdict had restored public confidence in the judiciary and reaffirmed the constitutional principles underpinning Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

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According to him, the judgment sends a strong message that democratic institutions can withstand attempts to undermine constitutional governance.

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He said, “The appellate court verdict is a victory for democracy, the rule of law and due process. It has restored sanity in the ongoing electoral process and justified the confidence Nigerians reposed in the judiciary as the temple of justice and the last hope of all aggrieved citizens.

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“The Court of Appeal ruling is indeed sweet music in the ears of all lovers of representative governance in Nigeria. It is also a powerful signal that anti-democratic and reactionary forces will be defeated if citizens stand up for their rights to democratic participation.”

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Mgbudem recalled that the party had challenged the proceedings before the appellate court even before the Federal High Court delivered its judgment.

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The party thanked Nigerians for condemning what it described as judicial recklessness and pledged to continue promoting democratic governance.

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The commendation followed Tuesday’s unanimous judgment of the Court of Appeal, which set aside the Federal High Court ruling directing INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Action Alliance, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party and Action Peoples Party.

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The appellate court held that the lower court lacked jurisdiction because the suit was instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which it found was not a juristic person with the legal capacity to sue.

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It further ruled that there was no competent suit before the trial court to warrant the order directing INEC to deregister the political parties.

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The appellate court also faulted the Federal High Court for proceeding with the case despite an earlier order directing it to stay proceedings pending the determination of an appeal, thereby restoring the legal status of all the affected political parties.

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