The Osun Accord governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has urged members and supporters of the party 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 shared on his X account on Tuesday, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, urging supporters to remain focused on the August 15 governorship election.
He said the judgment 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.
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 called on 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.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday, nullified the judgment 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, held that the June 15 judgment of the Federal High Court was a nullity because the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
The court ruled that the suit, which led to the deregistration order, was incompetent because it was filed by a non-juristic entity.
The appellate court further held that there was no valid legal basis for the order directing INEC to deregister the affected parties.
It also faulted the lower 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 Federal High Court acted despite an order directing it to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.
