ACTION ALLIANCE DISOWNS OSOGBO COURT JUDGMENT, REAFFIRMS CHIEF KENNETH UDEZE AS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

Party Warns Against Forum Shopping, Urges Judiciary to Intervene

By Kelechi Ugo

The leadership of the Action Alliance (AA) has strongly dissociated itself from a recent judgment obtained at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, allegedly by Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and his associates. In a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Vernimbe A. James, the party described the Osogbo judgment as “fraudulently obtained” and an attempt to mislead the public and ridicule the Nigerian judiciary.

The statement reiterated that the question of who leads the Action Alliance has long been laid to rest by multiple judgments from competent courts of law, all affirming Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze as the authentic National Chairman of the party.

The party cited several court rulings confirming Chief Udeze’s position, including:

FCT High Court Judgment (March 28, 2022) – Dismissed the case by Omoaje’s ally and affirmed Udeze.

Federal High Court Abuja Judgment (July 19, 2024) – Declared Udeze the lawful national chairman.

Federal High Court Abuja (September 24, 2024) – Dismissed claims by Omoaje’s group against Udeze’s leadership.

Court of Appeal, Abuja (January 26, 2024) – Dismissed Omoaje’s appeal and reaffirmed Udeze.

Court of Appeal, Abuja (September 6, 2024 & November 13, 2024) – Rejected multiple appeals by Omoaje and upheld Udeze’s leadership.

The party emphasized that all these rulings were issued by courts in Abuja, where the party’s national headquarters is located, and where all relevant parties were duly represented.

The AA leadership expressed concern that after repeatedly losing cases in Abuja, Mr. Omoaje and his group resorted to filing “secret suits” in Osogbo without notifying or including the legitimate leadership of the party.

“These cases were filed without the consent of the party or joining Chief Kenneth Udeze or any lawful member of the National Executive Committee (NEC),” the statement read. “It’s an act of forum shopping aimed at securing a favorable judgment from a less informed court.”

The party described the Osogbo judgment as a “desperate and deceitful move” to bypass earlier valid and subsisting rulings and warned that the judgment has no bearing on the established leadership of the party.

The party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ignore any moves by Omoaje or his associates to seek recognition based on the Osogbo ruling.

“INEC is fully aware of the legitimate leadership and is a party to many of the valid judgments affirming Chief Udeze. We urge the Commission not to recognize any attempt by Mr. Omoaje to circumvent the rule of law,” the party said.

Action Alliance further urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the Osogbo Court’s handling of the matter and consider transferring all related cases to the Abuja division to avoid conflicting judgments.

“The image of the judiciary must be protected from disrepute caused by discredited politicians seeking to manipulate the legal process,” the statement stressed.

Finally, the party reassured its members across the country that steps are already being taken to vacate the Osogbo ruling through legal means, urging them to remain law-abiding and confident in the rule of law.

“The leadership of the Action Alliance remains intact, focused, and determined to protect the integrity of the party. We will not allow the will of the judiciary to be mocked by political opportunists,” the statement concluded.