Accord Party Celebrates Court Ruling That Reinstates It and Four Others

The national leaders of the Accord Party are happy with the Court of Appeal. The court overturned a Federal High Court decision that told the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove the party and four others from its list. They see this ruling as a win for democracy, the law, and proper processes.

In a statement released late Tuesday night, the National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, said the court’s decision has brought back trust in the judiciary. It also confirmed the important ideas that support Nigeria's multi-party democracy.

He said the judgment sends a strong message that democratic institutions can survive efforts to weaken constitutional governance.

Mgbudem stated, “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.

“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.”

He reminded everyone that the party had already challenged the case at the appellate court even before the Federal High Court made its ruling.

The party thanked Nigerians for speaking out against what they called judicial recklessness. They promised to keep promoting democratic governance.

This praise came after Tuesday’s unanimous ruling from the Court of Appeal. The court cancelled the Federal High Court’s order that told INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, Action Alliance, Accord Party, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Peoples Party.

The appellate court found that the lower court did not have the power to make that ruling. The case was brought by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which the court found did not have the legal right to sue.

The court also said there was no valid case in the trial court that could lead to the order for INEC to deregister the political parties.

The appellate court criticized the Federal High Court for continuing with the case when it had already been told to stop until an appeal was decided. This action restored the legal status of all the political parties involved.