By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The authentic National Leadership of the Action Alliance (AA) led by Chief Kenneth Udeze has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over a planned World Press Conference on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Udeze, in a statement on Sunday, said the leadership of the party received with shock and dismay the notice of the conference being organised by INEC under the chairmanship of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
He described the conference as a “jamboree of bias” and an exercise in futility if the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance, as affirmed by the Court of Appeal, is deliberately excluded.
“It is settled law that INEC cannot come to equity with unclean hands,” Udeze said.
“How can an institution that claims neutrality, transparency and independence be trusted with pre-election and post-election litigations when it openly disobeys and treats with contempt subsisting and binding judgments of the Court of Appeal which affirmed the Udeze-led National Executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance?”
He listed the judgments INEC is aware of to include:
- The judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division affirming Chief Kenneth Udeze as National Chairman.
- The judgment of the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division delivered on April 22, 2026 in Appeal No. CA/MK/60/2026 between Dr. Manga Asha Vs Kenneth Udeze & Anor, which dismissed the challenge against the National Convention of February 22, 2025 and affirmed the Udeze leadership.
- The July 28, 2026 judgment dismissing the bid to deregister Action Alliance.
Udeze accused INEC of partisanship for allegedly preferring a Federal High Court judgment from Osogbo delivered by Justice Adefumilola Demi-Ajayi on February 17, 2025, over superior Court of Appeal judgments.
“This is executive rascality and a dangerous precedent,” he said.
He cited Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that decisions of the Court of Appeal must be obeyed by all authorities and persons, including INEC.
“INEC’s deliberate preference for a lower court over a higher court is not only illegal, null and void, but contemptuous and ridicules its claim to neutrality,” Udeze added.
The Action Alliance leadership therefore demanded that:
- The exclusionary and partisan World Press Conference is condemned.
- No stakeholders meeting on 2027 can be credible or complete without the authentic AA leadership under Chief Udeze.
- Prof. Amupitan, being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, knows that a Federal High Court cannot overrule the Court of Appeal and should immediately correct the anomaly.
- INEC must publicly explain why it is choosing which court order to obey.
- INEC must immediately withdraw recognition from impostors and give full effect to the Court of Appeal judgments by recognising and publishing candidates duly nominated by the Udeze-led NEC.
“If INEC continues on this path of illegality and selective justice, Nigerians should not be deceived – the 2027 elections are already compromised from the source. You cannot build a credible election on a foundation of disobedience to the law,” Udeze said.
“The Action Alliance under Chief Udeze remains the authentic and lawful Action Alliance and will not be cowed or excluded by any jamboree,” he added.
