On Monday in Nigeria, the Accord Party denied claims that it could be removed from the list of registered parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission, stating that it meets all legal conditions required to remain active.
The party made this known through its spokesperson, Joseph Omorogbe, while reacting to reports linked to a court case seeking the deregistration of some political parties.
The party said the rumours about its possible removal were not valid and were being spread for political reasons. It explained that the Nigerian Constitution clearly lists the conditions under which a party can be deregistered, such as failure to win any seat in elections or not reaching a required number of votes in major contests. According to the party, it has recorded wins at different levels, which makes it eligible to remain registered.
To support its position, the party pointed to victories in local elections in Jigawa State, where its candidates secured councillorship seats and received official recognition. It also mentioned that it had previously won a seat in the Imo State House of Assembly, even though that result was later overturned by a tribunal.
The party also reacted to a lawsuit filed by some former lawmakers asking the court to compel INEC to remove certain parties, including Accord. It described the action as lacking legal backing and questioned the role of the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, who supported the case. The party said the move raised concerns about fairness and due process.
It added that INEC recently carried out its routine checks at the party’s national office in Abuja, which it sees as proof that the commission still recognises its status. The development is connected to a broader legal effort aimed at removing some political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Zenith Labour Party, over claims that they no longer meet constitutional requirements.
The party maintained that it remains compliant with the law and will continue to operate as a recognised political platform despite the ongoing legal challenge.