Against the backdrop of moves to de-register some political parties, the Accord Party has stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot deregister it.
The party insisted that it fulfills all constitutional requirements and has also won elections as a political party, including the two seats it won in the Jigawa State Local Government election.
Joseph Omorogbe, its National Publicity Secretary, in a statement, faulted the involvement of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who is a defendant in a suit filed by Accord against moves by INEC to deregister the party.
The statement said, “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.”
According to the Osun State ruling party, there is no basis whatsoever for INEC to contemplate de-listing it as a party.
Recall that some politicians, under the umbrella of former lawmakers, had gone to court seeking to de-register Accord and other political parties over failure to win a seat in the 2023 general election as required by extant electoral laws.
Accord described the move as a public show of ignorance, adding that the politicians are unaware they have embarked on mission impossible.
The party said it won the Ideato South State House of Assembly in April 2023, in Imo State but after certificate of return was issued to Vitalis Azodo, its candidate, on 19th April 2023, the election was nullified by a tribunal in the state.
It also recalled that in Jigawa State, Zahairu Usman won the Ajaura Ward Councillorship in Taura Local Government Area, while Isa Alhaji won the Kanwa Ward Councillorship in Jahum Local Government Area in an election conducted by the Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission (JSIEC) on 5th October 2024.
It noted that the duo were issued certificates of return by the JSIEC Chairman, Auwalu Mohammed Harbo on 6th October 2024.
“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 statement added.
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