Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has condemned the Federal High Court’s decision to order the deregistration of five political parties, including his own Accord Party, calling it an abuse of court process and a violation of a subsisting order from the Court of Appeal. The ruling, delivered on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for failing to secure 25 per cent of the votes in the last general elections, as required by law. Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, expressed shock that the trial court proceeded with judgment despite a prior directive from the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal had previously, on May 22, 2026, ruled that the delivery of judgment remained part of ongoing court proceedings, a position that was formally presented to Justice Lifu as Exhibit MAC 2. Adeleke emphasized that this appellate court order was clearly documented and brought to the attention of the trial judge, making the delivery of judgment premature and legally flawed. He urged Osun residents to remain calm and assured them that the matter would be resolved in their favour, with the Court of Appeal set to hear the case again on Tuesday.
Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his confidence in the Accord Party’s participation in the upcoming governorship election scheduled for August 15. He declared that the party would not only appear on the ballot but would also win overwhelmingly, urging supporters to continue with campaign mobilization efforts without disruption. “We will not only be on the ballot, we will win overwhelmingly the forthcoming governorship election. We should remain calm and forge ahead with mobilisation of our people,” he stated.
He further announced that the official flag-off of the party’s governorship campaign would proceed as planned on Tuesday, dismissing any attempts to derail their political activities. “They want to distract us. We are going ahead and we are winning this election. Our lawyers are taking all the necessary steps to right the wrong,” Adeleke concluded. The governor’s stance underscores the party’s determination to challenge the ruling legally and ensure their constitutional rights are upheld.
The Federal High Court’s decision has sparked widespread debate across Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as it affects parties’ eligibility for upcoming elections. With legal appeals pending, the outcome of the Court of Appeal’s review will be closely watched, especially by political actors and voters in Osun and beyond. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s electoral processes and the critical role of judicial oversight in maintaining democratic integrity.
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