The Accord Party in Lagos State has rejected the judgement of the Lagos State High Court dismissing its suit challenging the legality of nomination forms prescribed by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

The Lagos State Chairman of the Accord Party, Dele Oladeji, on Friday  described the judgement as a betrayal of public confidence in the judiciary and announced plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

The judgment, delivered on July 8 by Justice A.K. Shonubi, dismissed the party’s originating summons in Suit No. ID/9684GCM/2025, filed by Accord Party and another claimant against LASIEC.

The suit challenged the constitutionality of LASIEC’s April 2025 Notice of Election, issued pursuant to Section 21(d) of the LASIEC Law, 2008, ahead of the July 12, 2025 local government elections.

Accord argued that compelling political parties to purchase nomination forms before sponsoring candidates violated Sections 7, 106 and 107 of the 1999 Constitution, which prescribe qualifications for elective offices.

The party also contended that payment for nomination forms was not a constitutional qualification for contesting elections and that any state law or subsidiary legislation imposing such conditions was unconstitutional.

Reacting to the judgment, Mr Oladeji said the verdict was “a betrayal of our trust in the justice system.”

“The fact remains that only political parties charge aspirants nomination and expression of interest fees. INEC does not charge candidates a single kobo.

“Even President Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Lagos State were not charged any nomination fee by INEC when they contested elections.

“It therefore defies logic, established electoral practice and due process for LASIEC to impose nomination fees on candidates under the guise of administrative fees.By collecting the so-called administrative fees into the Lagos State tax account, LASIEC violated its enabling law and engaged in the exploitation and extortion of candidates and political parties,” he said.

According to him, LASIEC is established as an independent electoral management body, not as a revenue-generating agency for the Lagos State Government.

He maintained that LASIEC received budgetary allocations to conduct the elections.

“Having been publicly funded for that purpose, it has no legal or moral basis to compel candidates and political parties to finance its administrative processes through additional charges.

“The fact that LASIEC remitted the proceeds of these fees into the Lagos State tax account further demonstrates that it acted as a revenue collector for the state government.

“This raises serious concerns about its independence, impartiality and compliance with the principles of free, fair and credible elections,” he stated

He said that the party had strong belief and faith in the justice system and the sanctity of the judicial process above political consideration or political reasoning.

“It is based on this that we approached the court. We have a very clear court case,” Mr Oladeji said.

Mr Oladeji said the party’s arguments were founded on the supremacy of the Constitution over every other law.

“Aside the credibility of the case and the credibility of our demand from the court, the basis of it is that the law on which LASIEC is relying contravenes sections of the Constitution of Nigeria,” he added.

According to him, any law inconsistent with the constitution must give way.

“Whenever any law enacted by the National Assembly contradicts or flies in the face of the Constitution, that law will have to bow and give way to the Constitution.

“Now, a law is made by the Lagos State House of Assembly and the judge is enforcing the law against the Constitution,” Mr Oladeji said.

He faulted the court’s interpretation of the law.

“The judge is enforcing the law and giving wings to a law enacted by a State Assembly to be superior over the Constitution of Nigeria.That is a travesty of justice, to the best of my layman’s knowledge,” he said.

Mr Oladeji maintained that constitutional supremacy was a settled legal principle.

“Even the basic and rudimentary class in law knows that the Constitution is supreme to every other law by a state Assembly.

“But the judge, in her wisdom, so to say, is giving wings to a law by a state Assembly to be superior to the Constitution of Nigeria.”

The Accord chairman expressed disappointment with the judgment.

“We are highly disappointed because the judge showed she is not bold enough to stand and say things as they are.

“I’m not a lawyer and I’m not a judge, but there are some things that are basic rules of law,” he said.

Mr Oladeji said the party remained confident in the judiciary despite the setback.

“We are actually still not losing our faith in the judiciary. We are going to appeal that judgment and we believe we are getting our justice,” he said.

He said the party believed justice would ultimately prevail.

Mr Oladeji said, “We believe so much in the law. We believe so much in the judicial system. We believe the judicial system is filled with men and women of credibility, men and women of good judgment, and men and women of good legal and judicial discernment.”

Mr Oladeji said the appeal would advance democracy and constitutional governance.

He stated, “We are appealing that judgement and we are very confident in the judicial system that we are getting justice. Justice for democracy, for our party, for every other party, for every candidate in the local government election, and for the enhancement, development and progress of democracy in Lagos State, Nigeria and Africa.” 

(NAN)