By Nkechi Eze
The Action Alliance (AA) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman against any attempt to tamper with the list of the party’s State Chairmen across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the National Executive Committee (NEC) currently displayed on the Commission’s official website and available in its various state offices.
This warning was issued in an official statement signed by the National Secretary of the party, Vernimbe A. James, who disclosed that the party has received credible intelligence indicating that INEC is considering altering the list of its duly elected State Chairmen and NEC members, which would constitute a gross violation of legal and institutional integrity.
The Action Alliance reminded INEC that the issue of the party’s authentic leadership has already been conclusively resolved by three different judgements delivered by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, all of which affirm Chief Barrister Kenneth Udeze as the rightful National Chairman of the party. The Commission, the statement noted, was duly represented by its legal counsels during the court proceedings in each of the three cases.
The party referenced the first judgement in the case of Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and two others versus Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and three others, in Appeal Number CA/ABJ/CV/955/2022, which was delivered on the 26th day of January, 2024. The second judgement cited is from the case of Hon. Federick Igwiwiyisi versus Osaro Uwaifo and two others, Appeal Number CA/ABJ/CV/869/2024, in which the Court of Appeal delivered judgement on the 6th of September, 2024. The appeal in that case was further dismissed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria for want of prosecution in Appeal Number SC/CV/922/2024 on 26th February, 2025. The third Court of Appeal judgement referred to was in the case of Action Alliance and three others versus INEC and three others, Appeal Number CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024, which was delivered on the 13th of November, 2024. The party emphasized that Certified True Copies (CTCs) of all three judgements are publicly available and have conclusively settled the leadership issue in favour of the Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led executive.
Despite these authoritative decisions from the Court of Appeal, the party lamented that the opposing faction led by one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, rather than accepting the finality of these rulings, has allegedly colluded with certain compromised elements within the legal department of the Commission to file a fresh suit at the Federal High Court, Osogbo. This move came after their defeat at the appellate level, and resulted in what the Action Alliance described as a questionable judgement in favour of their faction, effectively undermining the higher court’s decisions.
The Action Alliance stated that the affected parties have already filed a motion to set aside the Osogbo judgement, along with an application for stay of execution. The party reiterated that under the well-established hierarchy of Nigerian courts, the Federal High Court is inferior to the Court of Appeal, and therefore lacks the jurisdiction to set aside or override a decision already rendered by the appellate court on the same matter.
The party warned INEC not to act upon or recognize the Osogbo Federal High Court judgement, as doing so would be tantamount to disobeying binding rulings of a superior court and undermining judicial authority. It urged the Commission to act in the interest of justice and fairness by continuing to recognize the Kenneth Udeze-led leadership as valid and lawful.
The Action Alliance also reminded the Commission that it successfully conducted its National Convention on the 22nd of February, 2025, during which the leadership of Chief Barrister Kenneth Udeze was duly affirmed for a fixed term in office. INEC officials were present at the convention and monitored the proceedings. The Certified True Copy of the Commission’s monitoring report has already been made public, further confirming the legitimacy of the convention and the leadership that emerged from it.
In conclusion, the party urged INEC to maintain its existing recognition of the State Chairmen and National Executive Committee members already on record, in line with multiple court decisions and the party’s constitutionally conducted processes, warning that any contrary action would be firmly resisted within the bounds of the law.
