The Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged his supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the Osun State governorship election after the Court of Appeal affirmed the party’s legal standing.
Adeleke, in a statement on his X account on Tuesday, described the judgement as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, urging supporters to remain focused on the August 15 governorship election.
He noted that the ruling had reaffirmed that Accord remained “strong, lawful and fully prepared” for the poll.
“Again, Accord is victorious — democracy and the rule of law have prevailed.
“I congratulate every member and supporter of our great Accord family, as the Court of Appeal has affirmed what we have always known: our party remains strong, lawful and fully prepared for the August 15 governorship election,” Adeleke wrote.
Adeleke, the Accord candidate, thanked supporters for their resilience despite what he described as attempts to create confusion and fear around the party.
“I thank you for your steadfastness despite every attempt to create confusion and fear. Now, let us put this distraction behind us and return our full focus to the people,” he added.
Adeleke urged party leaders, youths, women and other supporters to step up mobilisation efforts across polling units, wards and communities.
“I urge every leader, youth, woman and supporter to intensify grassroots mobilisation across every polling unit, ward and community. Together, we will secure an even more convincing victory and continue the good work of building a better Osun,” he said.
Chronicle NG reports that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday, nullified the judgement of the Federal High Court ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, ruled that the June 15 judgement of the Federal High Court was a nullity because the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
The court held that the suit, which led to the deregistration order, was incompetent because it was filed by a non-juristic entity.
The appellate court also ruled that there was no valid legal basis for the order directing INEC to deregister the affected parties.
It also faulted the Federal High Court for failing to properly consider evidence presented before it, including records showing that some of the affected political parties had won elective positions in previous elections.
The Court of Appeal added that the lower court acted despite an order directing it to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.
