Appeal Court Judgement Restores Faith In Democracy, Says Accord Party

The national leadership of Accord has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal nullifying the Federal High Court decision that ordered the deregistration of the party and four other political parties, describing the ruling as a major victory for democracy, the rule of law and due process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Chairman, Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, the party said the appellate court’s decision had restored confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and reaffirmed the judiciary’s role as the last hope of aggrieved citizens.

According to the party, the Court of Appeal judgment has “restored sanity in the ongoing electoral process” and justified the confidence Nigerians place in the judiciary as the guardian of justice.

Accord described the verdict as “sweet music” to advocates of representative democracy, adding that it sends a strong message that anti-democratic forces can be defeated when citizens defend their constitutional rights to political participation.

The party alleged that the suit leading to the Federal High Court judgment was designed to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and prevent Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, from participating in the August 15 governorship election in the state.

It expressed confidence that, just as what it described as a “judicial plot” failed at the appellate court, the opposition in Osun State would also fail at the polls, insisting that Accord would emerge victorious in the election.

Accord maintained that it fully complied with all constitutional and legal requirements for its registration and had previously won elections, evidence of which it said was presented before the courts.

The party further argued that it should never have been included in the suit, contending that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the action.

It recalled that it had earlier approached the Court of Appeal, which granted a stay of proceedings on May 22, 2026, before subsequently granting a stay of execution on June 16, 2026, pending the determination of the appeal.

The party commended Nigerians who, despite political differences, condemned what it described as judicial recklessness in the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.

Accord also claimed that its growing national popularity had unsettled some interests, particularly in Osun State, which it described as one of its strongholds.

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic governance, the party urged Nigerians to support its vision of building “a strong, stable, inclusive and prosperous democratic nation.”