Accord Party Celebrates Court Ruling Restoring Registration

The national leadership of the Accord Party, led by National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem, commended the Court of Appeal for its unanimous judgment that overturned a Federal High Court ruling which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the Accord Party and four others: the African Democratic Congress, Action Alliance, Zenith Labour Party, and Action Peoples Party. Mgbudem described the ruling as a triumph for democracy, the rule of law, and due process, asserting that it restored public confidence in the judiciary.

The appellate court found that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction in the case, as the suit was brought by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which it determined was not a juristic person with the legal capacity to sue. Additionally, the appellate court criticized the lower court for proceeding with the case despite an earlier order to stay proceedings pending an appeal, thereby reinstating the legal status of the affected political parties.