Adeleke wins Appeal Court ruling on Accord party deregistration

• The Court of Appeal has nullified the deregistration order against Accord party.
• Ademola Adeleke was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Osun State governorship election held on July 16, 2022, and is now the Executive Governor of Osun State.
• Accord is now reinstated as a participating party, but the Osun State governorship election mentioned has already occurred.
• The Court of Appeal's ruling has significant implications for Accord and underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law.

Again, Accord is victorious — democracy and the rule of law have prevailed.

In a significant victory for democracy and the rule of law, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the deregistration order issued by the Federal High Court against the Accord party. The appellate court's ruling effectively reinstates Accord as a participating party. However, Ademola Adeleke, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Osun State governorship election held on July 16, 2022, and is now the Executive Governor of Osun State, was not the Accord candidate. The election is no longer scheduled but has already occurred. With Accord reinstated, the focus for its members would be on future elections, rather than the past Osun State governorship election.

The Court of Appeal's judgment was delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed. The appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit that led to the deregistration order. Furthermore, the Court of Appeal faulted the lower court for failing to properly consider evidence presented before it, including records showing that some of the affected political parties had won elective positions in previous elections. This ruling is a testament to the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected.

The Court of Appeal's ruling has significant implications for Accord as a political party, allowing it to participate in future elections. This development also underscores the importance of due process and the need for courts to uphold the law in all circumstances. As elections draw near, stakeholders must take note of this ruling and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Lawyers advising clients on the Osun State governorship election should note that the Court of Appeal's ruling has effectively reinstated Accord as a participating party, and clients with interests in the election may need to reassess their strategies accordingly.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online