The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Wednesday in Appeal Number: CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by the Adekunle Omoaje, faction through one Miller C.Orgwu (on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October, 2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze, 3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.
The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favour of the Respondents.
The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.
The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1,INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON.JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September, 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November, 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.
On 28 March,2022, the FCT high Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.
Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others was granted leave of the Court of Appeal to appeal same Judgement.
On the 26th, January, 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March, 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected.
Dissatisfied with the Appeal Court Judgement, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others.
The matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the backdoor to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.
The INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March, 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website, the names of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other elected NEC of the party as authentic.
There is no Court ruling or Judgement that affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance held on any other date apart from the 14th March, 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.
Ezenwa Ibegbunam who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the Governorship candidiate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.
On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused. He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo Stare gubernatorial election.
Signed:
Vernimbe A James
National Secretary, Action Alliance (AA)
13th, November, 2024.
