Accord has reacted to the Court of Appeal judgment that nullified the Federal High Court Abuja judgement which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to de-register the party and four others.

The party said the judgement was a calculated attempt to undermine the nation’s jurisprudence and participatory democracy in the first place.

Accord said that the appellate court verdict is a victory for democracy, rule of law and due process, adding that the court has restored sanity in the ongoing electoral process and justified the confidence Nigerians reposed in the Judiciary as the temple of justice and last hope of all aggrieved citizens.

“The Court of Appeal ruling is indeed a sweet music in the ears of all lovers of representative governance in Nigeria. It is also a powerful signal that anti-democratic and reactionary forces will be defeated if citizens stand up for their rights to democratic participation,” the party said in a statement signed by Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, it’s National Chairman.

Accord added that it “is aware that the intention of this frivolous, spurious and defective suit was to distract, prevent and stop the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke from participating in the August 15 gubernatorial election in the state.

“The way this grand judicial plot failed, is the way the opposition in Osun State will also fail, as the party will again emerge victorious in the polls.

“It is a fact that our great party met all the requirements for its registration and won elections which were duly presented in court and ought not to have been included in this disgusting suit by the so-called former legislators, a group of interlopers that lack the locu standi to institute it.”

Accord said it “welcomes this landmark judgement of the Court of Appeal, and appreciates Nigerians who set aside political differences and strongly condemned the judicial recklessness of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu. It is patriotism redefined and democracy at its finest.

“There is no doubt that the Accord’s growing national acceptance is a threat to unpatriotic elements in the society, particularly in Osun State, the party’s stronghold.”

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has said it did not force the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, out of the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, respectively.

Speaking during an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Tuesday, the National Chairman of the party, Nentawe Yilwatda, denied allegations that the ruling party is responsible for the internal crises and defections rocking opposition parties.

Yilwatda said the APC neither forced Obi out of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, nor compelled him to leave the Labour Party or join any other political platform.

“Nobody in APC chased Peter Obi out of PDP. Nobody from APC chased him out of the Labour Party; nobody in APC chased him out of the Labour Party to ADC. Who chased him from ADC again to the NDC,” he asked.

According to him, the former Anambra state governor had been changing political parties long before the APC assumed power at the federal level.

He also denied claims that recent defections from the APC reflected declining support for the party, arguing that many politicians who left were motivated by the desire to secure electoral tickets rather than ideological differences.

The APC National Chairman stressed that the APC remained united and attractive to Nigerians, adding that one year after assuming office as national chairman, the party had fulfilled key promises aimed at strengthening its internal structure and expanding its appeal.

President Bola Tinubu has defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing concerns over the electoral body’s neutrality and accusing political opponents of raising unfounded allegations.

The President made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The president spoke after the Catholic bishops urged his administration to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, describing credible polls as one of the legacies expected from his government.

Responding, the president insisted that INEC had remained impartial and had not intimidated any political party or candidate.

“INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in the company they keep, not me,” Tinubu said.

The president also assured the bishops that his administration was strengthening the country’s security architecture to tackle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping through improved intelligence gathering, restructuring of security institutions, and enhanced welfare for security personnel.

“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons,” he said.

On the economy, Tinubu maintained that the country had recovered from the financial challenges his administration inherited and expressed confidence that better days lie ahead.

“This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he stated.

He also highlighted the absence of prolonged industrial actions by university lecturers, saying students could now complete their programmes within the expected duration.

“You can’t say a four-year course in the university is not four years now. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to our homes,” the president added.