A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lead counsel to the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunmbi, has raised concerns over what he described as an unusual legal situation following conflicting court-related developments in the ongoing dispute over the deregistration of some political parties.
Adetunmbi said the matter, which is already before the Court of Appeal, reflects what he called an unprecedented procedural experience in his years of legal practice.
“Throughout my over 25 year career, I’ve never seen such a situation where the higher court will give an order and the lower court will disobey it,” he said.
He made the remark on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, while reacting to the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that has sparked fresh legal arguments.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had reportedly directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party from the register of political parties, citing their alleged failure to meet electoral requirements.
The court also barred the affected parties from participating in future elections, including the 2027 general elections, following a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.
However, the Accord Party counsel maintained that the case remains active at the appellate court, warning against public commentary that could prejudice ongoing proceedings.
“I would like to remind you and all our listeners that this matter is still at the Court of Appeal. It’s coming up 2 p.m. at the Court of Appeal today. So there is a limit to what we can discuss,” he noted.
Adetunmbi further clarified that the judgment did not directly stop political activities but instructed INEC on administrative steps.
“His lordship did not order those parties to stop campaign. His lordship ordered INEC to commence deregistration of those political parties and equally directed INEC not to receive any communication from them aside from making certain declarations that they did not meet registration requirements,” he said.
He also referenced an earlier appellate court position, insisting that proceedings in the matter were expected to be halted pending the outcome of the appeal.
“We have an express order before his lordship… the Court of Appeal had earlier ordered that his lordship should not deliver that judgment,” he added.
Despite the controversy, Adetunmbi said the Accord Party would continue to pursue its case through lawful means, stressing commitment to due process.
“On the part of Accord, we are already at the Court of Appeal. We will see to the end of the matter within the ambit of the law,” he said.
