National chairmanship tussle: Ignore claims by faction – AA to INEC

By Christiana Ekpa

The Action Alliance, (AA) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), to disregard claims by the Rufai Omoaje faction, urging the recognition of Kenneth Udeze as the authentic National Chairman.
The AA, in a letter addressed to the INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stressed that several court judgements validated Udeze’s leadership, contrary to Omoaje’s assertions.
According to the letter signed by Kenneth Udeze, the party accused Omoaje’s agents of spreading misinformation, and attempting to blackmail INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
In his letter, Udeze cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in case number SC CV 1259/2022, saying the court didn’t determine Udeze’s removal, and the Court of Appeal’s judgement in CA/ABJ/CV/955/2022, affirming Udeze’s election.
The party warned against recognising Omoaje, stressing that his appeal at the Supreme Court lacks merit. AA assured INEC and Nigerians that Udeze’s leadership remains legitimate, backed by court declarations.
The letter reads in part, “It is important to state from the onset that the ruling of the Supreme Court in SC CV 1259 2022 being relied upon in the above faceless message has no bearing and did not in any way determine or remove Chief Kenneth Udeze as the National Chairman of AA.
“It was an abandoned interlocutory appeal in which stay of proceedings was sought at Supreme Court against the leave granted to Omoaje by the court of appeal, to appeal the judgement of Justice Eneojo Enenche, which reinstated Chief Kenneth Udeze as authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (as an interested party).
“His appeal was heard and the court of appeal dismissed and sacked Omoaje and affirmed Chief Kenneth Udeze as authentic AA Chairman. Omoaje has also appealed the said court of appeal judgement that sacked him to the Supreme Court in suit No: SC CV 162 2024 between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others VS Chief Uzewuru NwAchukwu and others.
“As of today, that is the only appeal dealing with the leadership of the NEC of Action Alliance before the Supreme Court and it is yet to be heard.”