National Chairman Udeze Asserts Leadership Amid Court Ruling
In a recent decision, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit initiated by the Action Alliance (AA) leadership, spearheaded by Kenneth Udeze, alongside Ekiti State governorship candidate Ayo Ogunlade and his deputy, Alta Opeyemi Enitan. The suit sought action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but was rejected due to jurisdictional limitations.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the case, revolving around the internal dynamics of the political party, did not fall within the court’s jurisdiction. The ruling emphasized that matters concerning party leadership are typically outside the purview of the judiciary.
The lawsuit aimed to declare that the INEC had overseen a peaceful primary election for the AA, leading to Ogunlade and Enitan’s nominations as candidates for the upcoming 2026 Ekiti State gubernatorial election. The plaintiffs sought for INEC to publish their names and provide access codes to facilitate their candidate registration under Udeze’s leadership.
The legal actions commenced in December 2025, stemming from INEC’s alleged failure to adhere to several provisions of Nigeria’s electoral laws, including Sections 29 to 32 and 84 of the 2022 Elections Act, as well as Sections 40 and 221 of the 1999 Amendment to the Constitution.
During the proceedings, the court noted claims from Mr. Miller C. Ogwu, who identified himself as the party’s national secretary, suggesting that the AA had no legitimate grievances. He referenced a prior Federal High Court ruling from February 17, 2025, asserting that access codes for the Ekiti State governorship candidate had already been allocated to the Action Alliance, under the leadership recognized by INEC.
Justice Nwite focused primarily on the court’s jurisdiction, ultimately dismissing the suit without determining the substantive issues at hand. The ruling clarified that the court would not engage further with the details of the case.
In response, Chief Udeze reiterated his position as the legitimate national chairman, arguing that prior appellate court rulings validate his authority over the party. Udeze criticized INEC for allegedly favoring Adekunle Omoahe, a rival party leader, in contradiction to established judicial precedents.
Udeze emphasized that the leadership of the Action Alliance under his guidance will vigorously contest perceived irregularities in the electoral process and the overall management of party affairs. He urged party members and supporters of the Ekiti State candidates to remain calm, promising that legal routes would be pursued following the court’s ruling to ensure compliance with justice and uphold democratic principles.
