Legal battle threatens Accord Party participation in 2027 general elections over candidate list submissions.
A fresh legal challenge has hit the political space in Abuja as a senior party member asks the Federal High Court to disqualify all candidates of the Accord Party. The high-stakes legal action targets the upcoming 2027 general elections, introducing major uncertainty for the political platform.
The originating summons, marked as suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2524/2026, was officially filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 21, 2026, by Adebukola Ajaja. Represented by her legal counsel Edmund Biriomoni, the applicant seeks urgent judicial intervention regarding internal party procedures.
The core dispute centers on allegations that vital administrative responsibilities were bypassed during the submission of official nomination documents to electoral authorities, according to information published by punchng.
Internal Party Dispute Over Candidate List
The court filing lists the Independent National Electoral Commission as the first respondent, alongside the Accord Party as the second respondent. National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem and National Organising Secretary ThankGod Kenechukwu are named as the third and fourth respondents respectively.
According to court documents, the applicant argued that her specific administrative responsibilities as the National Secretary of the Accord Party were completely usurped by Maxwell Mgbudem and ThankGod Kenechukwu during the transmission of election documents.
Legal Grounds for Disqualification Suit
The plaintiff relies heavily on statutory provisions and internal regulations to back her claims before the Federal High Court in Abuja. She cites Article 2 of the Accord Party Constitution, which establishes the supreme and binding nature of party rules for all members and organs.
The legal action further invokes Sections 29(1) and (2) alongside Sections 82(1) and (6) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The applicant also references specific articles within the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, to challenge the legitimacy of the submitted paperwork.
Reliefs Sought by the National Secretary
The applicant is praying the court for a formal declaration that only the National Chairman and the National Secretary are legally empowered to jointly sign candidate submission letters and associated EC9 series forms.
Specific documents challenged include the candidate submission letters dated June 30, 2026, July 19, 2026, and August 5, 2026. The suit asks the court to issue a perpetual injunction setting aside and completely nullifying all forms jointly submitted by the third and fourth respondents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Accord Party candidates facing disqualification for 2027?
A member of the Accord Party, Adebukola Ajaja, filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja arguing that her duties as National Secretary were usurped during candidate submissions.
Who filed the lawsuit against the Accord Party leadership?
The suit was filed by Adebukola Ajaja through her lawyer Edmund Biriomoni, naming INEC, the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, and ThankGod Kenechukwu as respondents.
Which electoral laws and guidelines are cited in the court case?
The applicant cited Sections 29 and 82 of the Electoral Act, 2026, along with specific provisions of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026.
What specific outcome is the applicant demanding from the court?
The plaintiff is asking the court to nullify the candidate lists submitted to INEC and issue a perpetual injunction against the third and fourth respondents.
