Accord party has strongly denied speculation suggesting it may be deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission, maintaining that it fully satisfies all constitutional conditions required to remain a recognised political party in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, dismissed the claims as baseless, attributing them to either misinformation or deliberate political manipulation.
According to Omorogbe, the legal framework governing party deregistration—specifically Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)—sets out clear and limited grounds under which a political party can lose its registration. These include failure to win seats in elections at various levels or inability to meet prescribed vote thresholds in presidential or governorship contests.
He insisted that Accord has met these requirements and therefore remains protected under the law.
“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.”
To reinforce its position, the party pointed to its political relevance and recent activities, including defections and electoral successes.
“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…”
At the grassroots level, the party also recorded victories in councillorship elections in Jigawa State, with candidates emerging winners in Ajaura Ward (Taura LGA) and Kanwa Ward (Jahun LGA), and subsequently receiving certificates of return from the state electoral commission.
Although Accord previously won a State House of Assembly seat in Imo State during the 2023 elections, that victory was later overturned by an election tribunal.
The party also addressed a lawsuit filed by a group it described as “self-styled former lawmakers,” who are seeking the deregistration of several political parties, including Accord. It argued that the legal action lacks merit and should not stand.
Accord further criticised the stance of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, accusing him of taking a partisan position in the matter.
“Accord is, however, constrained to put the record straight following the reaction of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice… in the worst assault on the nation’s democracy and mockery of the esteemed office…”
The party also revealed that INEC recently carried out its routine verification exercise at its national secretariat in Abuja, which it interpreted as confirmation of its compliance with regulatory standards.
The controversy stems from a legal action backed by the Attorney General, who is seeking a court order compelling INEC to deregister certain political parties. In filings before the Federal High Court in Abuja, he argued that some parties have failed to meet constitutional requirements and that their continued existence undermines electoral integrity.
Apart from Accord, other parties named in the suit include the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party.
Through his legal team led by Prof. Joshua Olatoke (SAN), the Attorney General maintained that, as the chief law officer of the federation, he is obligated to ensure strict compliance with the Constitution and electoral laws governing political parties.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Accord remains firm in its position that it has met all statutory requirements and cannot be lawfully deregistered.
