Court Dismisses Suit Against INEC, 3 Others Over AA Crisis

Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has settled the leadership crisis of the Action Alliance, AA. 

The court, yesterday, dismissed the suit brought against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and three other chieftains of the party.

Suing on behalf of the party, Hon Alfred Kuboro, Samuel Bamidele Obaro and Chief Chinedu Ukadike, who are plaintiffs in the matter dragged INEC, Bufuomo Alex, Ogunewe Lincoln Jack and Braimoh Olayinka Adenehon before the court.

The court dismissed the matter after it was withdrawn by their counsel, Ms Mary Waribo.

There has been a leadership tussle between a faction led by Adekunle Omoaje and Barrister Ifeanyi Udeze.

The implication of the dismissal of the case is that Barrister Udeze is the authentic chairman of the party.

A high court of justice of the FCT had also declared Udeze as the authentic chairman of the party.

In the defendants’ counter affidavit opposing the plaintiffs’ originating summons, deposed to by one Manga Samuel Asha, the defendants told the court that, contrary to paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the affidavit in support of the originating motion, Chief Kenneth O. Udeze is the only duly elected, subsisting and recognized national chairman of the Action Alliance hence “we are members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance. A copy of the list of members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance wherein.”

The defendants said a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, headed by Justice Eleojo Enenche, in Suit No. FCT/HC/174/2022, had earlier ordered the 1st defendant (INEC) to forthwith accept, recognise or accord effect to the election of Udeze as the national chairman of Action Alliance having been validly and lawfully elected as the national chairman of the party at the National Convention of the party held on 14th March, 2021.

They said the court also restrained the 1st Defendant (INEC) from dealing with any other person claiming or purporting to be the national chairman of Action Alliance (AA), or accepting any letter, documents, nomination form or any other act relating to the capacity of the National Chairman of the Party from person(s) other than him.