The leadership of the Action Alliance (AA) has welcomed a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that affirms Aare Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje as the party’s authentic presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The ruling, delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1377/2026, struck out a lawsuit filed by challengers seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release access codes for candidate registration.
Hon. Miller C. Orgwu, the National Secretary of the Action Alliance, announced the development in a statement released in Kaduna on Tuesday. Orgwu described the judgment as proof that the judiciary remains the "last hope of Nigerians" and a sustainer of the country’s democracy. The party leadership characterized the outcome as a victory for internal democracy and the rule of law.
Barr. Ayibiowu Doland, counsel to Omo-Aje, explained that the suit was instituted by Barr. Kenneth Udeze, who purported to be the rightful National Chairman of the party. Udeze sought a court order directing INEC to release the access code to upload the particulars of candidates who emerged from what he described as the party's primaries. However, INEC argued in its response that it acted based on existing court decisions regarding party leadership, noting that Udeze’s tenure as National Chairman had elapsed since 2017 and that he had been expelled from the party without evidence of reinstatement.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, presiding over the case, identified three key issues for determination. On the first issue, the court held that the plaintiffs failed to identify the precise judgment that INEC allegedly disobeyed. Regarding the second issue, Justice Ekwo ruled that the plaintiffs were attempting to invite the Federal High Court to sit on appeal over decisions already made by higher courts and courts of coordinate jurisdiction based on the party’s constitution. The court stated it lacked the jurisdiction to review or interpret such judgments.
On the third issue, the court determined that the action was improperly commenced via originating summons. Justice Ekwo noted that under the Rules of Court, originating summons is used to construe deeds and wills, not to interpret judgments. Consequently, the court struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction, holding that it is not the appropriate venue for resolving internal party disputes.
During proceedings, Justice Ekwo was quoted as saying to Kenneth Udeze, ‘I no see any judgment wey pronounce Kenneth Udeze as National Chairman,’ thereby dismissing his claim to the party’s leadership.
The court concluded that the plaintiffs were not the persons recognized by law or INEC as entitled to represent the Action Alliance. The ruling confirmed that the attempt to take over the party’s structure and hijack its candidacy ahead of the 2027 general elections had failed, leaving Omo-Aje as the confirmed presidential candidate.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
