From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The leadership tussle rocking the Action Alliance (AA) may have been finally laid to rest as the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, Friday, confirmed Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje as the authentic national chairman of the party.
The judgment delivered by Justice A.B Mohammed put to an end to the claim by Mr. Kenneth Udeze, who is said to have been expelled from the party, that he is the national chairman of the party.
Justice A B Mohammed, who presided over the court, held that Omoaje is the only authentic and recognized national chairman of the AA and should be given the recognition forthwith.
Recalled that two counsels had attempted to represent the AA in a case instituted against the party at an Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, a situation which caused confusion and led to litigation to determine the authentic chairman of the party.
However, the Friday ruling of the Court of Appeal has given credence to the candidates presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Hon Omoaje-led faction of the party.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had penultimate week ordered INEC to display the list of all the candidates presented to it by Omoaje at all levels.
With the ruling, Major Hamzat Al-mustapha who is said to be the presidential candidate of the party and others seeking elective positions under the Kenneth Udeze led faction have forfeited their candidature.
In his ruling, Justice Mohammed upheld the ruling of the Ogun State High Court which recognized Omoaje as the national chairman of the AA.
The court held that the leadership of Hon Omoaje is the only one recognized by the constitution of the party, as Kenneth Udeze had long been expelled from the party.
Besides, the court affirmed the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Udeze from the party.
Reacting to the Friday’s judgment, the National Chairman of the AA, Hon Omoaje described the judgment as a landmark victory for the rule of law and democracy.
He warned members of the party and general public not to have anything to do with Udeze on behalf of the AA.