Party Crisis: AA Insists Udeze Remains National Chairman

The Action Alliance (AA) has reaffirmed Barr. Kenneth Udeze as its authentic National Chairman, warning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, against tampering with the party’s leadership list currently published on the Commission’s website.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday by its National Secretary, Vernimbe James, the AA said it had received credible intelligence suggesting that INEC was under renewed pressure from some sacked party chieftains to alter the duly submitted list of the 36 State Chairmen and the FCT.

“The Commission must not succumb to the pressure of individuals who have consistently lost in court,” the statement read. “INEC must respect the decisions of competent courts of law which have affirmed Chief Udeze’s leadership beyond any legal doubt.”

The party cited three separate judgments of the Court of Appeal, all delivered in favour of the Udeze-led leadership.

These include Adekunle Rufai Omoaje & 2 ORS v. Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu & 3 ORS (Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/955/2022), judgment delivered on January 26, 2024.

“Hon. Federick Igwiwiyisi v. Osaro Uwaifo & 2 ORS (Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/869/2024), judgment delivered on September 6, 2024, which was also dismissed at the Supreme Court (SC/CV/922/2024) on February 26, 2025, for lack of prosecution.

“Action Alliance & 3 ORS v. INEC & 3 ORS (Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024), judgment delivered on November 13, 2024.”

“These Appeal Court rulings conclusively settled the leadership crisis in AA,” the party declared.

It further warned that any action by INEC contrary to these judgments would constitute contempt of court.

The AA condemned what it described as “a backdoor attempt” to use a Federal High Court judgment in Osogbo, obtained after the appellate rulings, to override the decisions of the higher courts.

AA argued that under the doctrine of hierarchy of courts, the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to set aside or contradict judgments of the Court of Appeal.

“It is trite law that the Federal High Court cannot override the decisions of the Court of Appeal,” the statement said. “The judgment from Osogbo is not only inferior but also in clear conflict with established rulings, and should be disregarded.”

The party also accused unnamed officials in INEC’s legal department of colluding with the Hon. Adekunle Omoaje-led group to undermine its lawful leadership, warning that any recognition of the disputed Osogbo judgment would be seen as a deliberate act of defiance against judicial authority.

Reaffirming Udeze’s mandate, the AA disclosed that it held a national convention on February 22, 2025, where his leadership was renewed for a fixed term.

The convention, it noted, was duly monitored by INEC, and the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Commission’s monitoring report has been made public.

The party warned that any attempt by INEC to act contrary to the authentic list already submitted by the Udeze-led National Working Committee (NWC) would be met with legal consequences, including contempt proceedings.

“The law is clear. The courts have spoken. Any move to alter the list or recognise sacked officials is illegal, null, and void,” the party warned.