Leadership crisis: AA apologises to INEC boss, urges him to ignore Omoaje

The Action Alliance (AA) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard claims by the Rufai Omoaje faction, urging the recognition of Chief Kenneth Udeze as the authentic National Chairman.

In a letter addressed to the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the AA emphasized that several court judgments validated Udeze’s leadership, contrary to Omoaje’s assertions.

In the letter signed by Kenneth Udeze, the party accused Omoaje’s agents of spreading misinformation, attempting to blackmail INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Udeze in his letter 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 judgment in CA/ABJ/CV/955/2022, affirming Udeze’s election.

The party warned against recognizing Omoaje, adding that his appeal at the Supreme Court lacks merit.

The party, however, 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 judgment 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 at today that is the only appeal dealing with the leadership of NEC of Action Alliance before the Supreme Court and it is yet to be heard.”

It stated further that, “Presently, Omoaje is struggling at the Supreme Court without any likelihood of prospect of hearing his futile appeal against the express judgment of the Court of Appeal.

“It is important to emphasis that both the Judgment of the FCT High Court and the Court of Appeal, are all judgments in rem and also declaratory in nature; they are conclusive finding of the Courts and binds everyone.

“It is only the Judgment of the FCT High Court and the Court of Appeal that expressly determined the validity of the National Convention of the Action Alliance held on 14th March, 2021 wherein Chief Kenneth Udeze was elected as the National Chairman and other national officers also elected for four (4) tenure in office commencing from 14th March, 2021 and ending in 2025.”