The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed the Federal High Court ruling ordering the deregistration of several political parties, insisting that the decision would not affect his re-election bid and that the Accord Party would remain on the ballot for the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Government House in Osogbo on Monday, Adeleke addressed two major court decisions delivered earlier in the day — the Federal High Court ruling in Abuja directing the deregistration of some political parties and the judgment of the Federal High Court in Osogbo dismissing an application seeking tenure elongation for local government chairmen aligned with the Osun APC.
The governor welcomed the Osogbo court judgment, describing it as a victory for constitutional democracy and the rule of law. He congratulated what he referred to as the duly elected local government chairmen, noting that the decision reinforced existing judicial precedents that tenure extension in public office is unconstitutional.
On the Federal High Court judgment directing the deregistration of the Accord Party and other political parties, Adeleke maintained that the ruling was flawed and inconsistent with an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal.
According to him, the appellate court had already stayed proceedings on the matter pending further hearing, making the latest judgment difficult to reconcile with the existing legal position.
“Our legal team has already taken the necessary steps to challenge the ruling. It is on record that the Court of Appeal had stayed proceedings in the matter until October. We are therefore surprised that a lower court proceeded to deliver judgment on a matter already before a higher court,” he stated.
The governor urged residents of Osun State and supporters of his administration to remain calm, expressing confidence that the Accord Party would ultimately retain its place on the ballot.
“Accord will be on the ballot. We will be on the ballot, and by the grace of God and the support of the people, we will record a resounding victory on August 15,” Adeleke declared.
He also dismissed suggestions that the judgment would derail his campaign, reaffirming that preparations for the official launch of his re-election campaign remain on track.
“Our campaign flag-off holds tomorrow as scheduled. We remain focused and will not be distracted. Efforts to stop our re-election bid have failed, and continuity will prevail,” the governor added.
Adeleke concluded by calling on supporters across the state to turn out in large numbers for the campaign launch, expressing optimism that his administration would secure another mandate from the electorate.
