The Accord Party has dismissed speculations about its possible deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that it meets all constitutional requirements to remain a registered political party.

In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, described calls for its deregistration as baseless and driven by “ignorance or political mischief.”

Omorogbe cited Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that political parties can only be deregistered for failing to win at least one seat in councillorship, state or national assembly elections, or for not meeting minimum vote thresholds in presidential or governorship polls.

“It is evident that our great party met this clear provision of the constitution, thus exempted from de-registration by the electoral umpire,” he said.

The party also rejected claims that an ongoing court matter could lead to its deregistration, maintaining that such insinuations by political opponents have no legal basis.

According to Omorogbe, the party has recorded electoral victories, including councillorship wins in Jigawa State, where Zahairu Usman and Isa Alhaji secured seats in Taura and Jahun local government areas, respectively.

He added that the party also won a State House of Assembly seat in Ideato South, Imo State, during the April 15, 2023 election, although the result was later nullified by a tribunal.

The party further criticised a group of “self-styled former lawmakers” who instituted a suit seeking the deregistration of some political parties, describing the move as legally untenable.

Accord also took aim at the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, accusing him of partisanship for backing the suit without verifying the party’s electoral records.

The party said INEC recently conducted its annual verification exercise at its national secretariat in Abuja, which it described as evidence of compliance with regulatory requirements.

The development follows a legal action supported by the Attorney General before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to compel INEC to deregister several parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.

In court filings, the Attorney General argued that the continued existence of the affected parties violates provisions of the Constitution and undermines electoral integrity, insisting that INEC must enforce compliance with electoral laws.