The governorship candidates of the Accord Party and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Taraba State have dismissed concerns arising from a Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of their parties and three others by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ruling, delivered on Monday in Abuja by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, directed INEC to deregister the affected political parties over alleged non-compliance with statutory requirements.
Despite the judgment, the Accord Party governorship candidate, Professor Jerome Nyameh, and his ADC counterpart, Alhaji Abubakar Tutare, maintained that the decision does not signal the end of their parties’ legal existence, insisting that the matter remains subject to further judicial review.
Speaking on the development, Prof. Nyameh described the ruling as a first-instance judgment that could still be overturned on appeal.
According to him, the legal process is far from over, as both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court have the authority to review the decision.
“The Federal High Court is just a trial court. There is the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court,” Nyameh stated.
He urged members and supporters of the Accord Party to remain calm, law-abiding, and focused, expressing confidence in the party’s continued relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Nyameh further highlighted the party’s internal strength, noting that it boasts influential political figures, including Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke. He added that preparations for future political activities and elections remain on course.
Similarly, ADC governorship candidate Alhaji Abubakar Tutare rejected suggestions that the court ruling could lead to the collapse of the party.
Tutare argued that the African Democratic Congress remains a viable political force, citing its representation in the House of Representatives as evidence of its continued legal and electoral standing.
He called on party supporters not to panic, expressing optimism that the judiciary would ultimately uphold justice if the case reaches the apex court.
“We are not worried. We believe the Supreme Court will do justice in the end,” Tutare said.
The ADC candidate also reiterated the party’s commitment to its political agenda and assured members that its leadership would pursue all available legal avenues to challenge the ruling.
Meanwhile, both campaigns in Taraba State have urged their supporters to remain focused on ongoing political activities while awaiting further legal clarification on the status of the affected parties.
The ruling has generated reactions across political circles, with observers closely monitoring the next legal steps that may determine the future of the affected political parties ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
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