ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the January 26, 2024 Appeal Court judgment, which put to rest the lingering leadership tussle in Action Alliance (AA) has formally recognised Chief Kenneth Udeze as the authentic National Chairman of the party.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in his first crucial meeting with Chief Udeze since after the Appeal judgment, said that the commission as law abiding institution had already recognised Chief Udeze leadership of the Action Alliance and would henceforth deal with him as the authentic National Chairman of the party.
The commission has consequently replaced Mr Rufai Omoaje with Chief Udeze as the National Chairman of AA.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting with INEC leadership, Chief Udeze said he was as the Commission to brief Prof. Yakubu of the AA Edo state governorship primary scheduled for February 24 and other programs of the party aimed at uniting the members and repositioning the party ahead of the Edo governorship election.
He said that the meeting was to further ensure compliance with the Appeal Court judgment, which had since put to rest the lingering leadership tussle in AA.
Chief Udeze, who was accompanied to INEC national head office by other party officials, said that the party was ready to wrestle power from PDP in Edo state.
He however advised party members especially aspirants to respect the party constitution and deal with his leadership as the only recognised one.
He commended INEC leadership for complying with the judgment and dissmised the lingering leadership tussle in the party as a distraction.
Chief Udueze said that INEC had already changed all the documents as regards to AA leadership to reflect the judgment.
Appeal Court Abuja division had January 26, affirmed Chief Kenneth Udeze as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) .
The three Man panel of justices presided over by HON.JUSTICE H.A. BARKA dismissed the Appeal filed by one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje in Appeal number:CA/ABJ/CV/955/2022 challenging the judgement of the FCT High Court in suit number:FCT/HC/CV/174/2022 delivered on 28th day of March, 2022 by HON.JUSTICE ELEOJO ENENCHE which had earlier Affirmed CHIEF (BARR) KENNETH UDEZE as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) and validated the 14th, March,2021 National Convention of the party .
The Appeal court also awarded the cost of N4 million against Adekunle Rufai Omoaje in favor of CHIEF (BARR) KENNETH UDEZE and other three Respondents.
In a related development, the Court of Appeal Abuja division also in a three Man panel of justices presided over by HON. JUSTICE. H.A. BARKA again affirmed CHIEF (BARR) KENNETH UDEZE as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) in Appeal number:CA/ABJ/CV/526/2022 Between one CHIEF UZEWURU NWACHUKWU Vs KENNETH UDEZE AND 2ORS.
The parties in this Appeal avail themselves at the court of Appeal mediation center and amicably settled all issues as regarding the position of the National Chairmanship of Action Alliance (AA) in favor of CHIEF BARR KENNETH UDEZE and was adopted by all parties which the Appeal court had entered as a judgement in favor of CHIEF BARR KENNETH UDEZE as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA).
With the two court of Appeal judgements this 26th January affirming CHIEF BARR KENNETH UDEZE as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA), it is now finally put to rest the party prolong legal tustle on the National Chairmanship.
“We express our profound gratitude to the Nigerian judiciary, that indeed it is the last hope for a common man.
We thank our party legal team led by CHIEF MICHAEL KAASE AONDOAKAA (SAN), former Attorney General and Minister of Justice for a deligent procecution of the matters.
“We thank all the party faithfuls across Nigeria and beyond for their prayers and we urge you to have faith and always support CHIEF BARR KENNETH UDEZE led National Executives of the Action Alliance (AA),” he said.
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