…describes omission as ‘assault on democracy’, threatens legal action

The Chief Barrister Kenneth Udeze-led faction of the Action Alliance (AA) has condemned the alleged exclusion of its presidential candidate and other candidates from the list of nominees for the 2027 general elections published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party described the development as an “assault on democracy,” alleging that the electoral commission’s action disregarded subsisting judgments of the Court of Appeal affirming the leadership of Udeze.

In a statement signed by Udeze, National Chairman of the party, the AA leadership said it was particularly concerned that candidates it claimed were duly nominated through its recognised party structures were not reflected in INEC’s purported list.

The party alleged that the omission was not only an affront to Action Alliance but also a threat to the rule of law, internal party democracy and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

According to the statement, INEC was aware of the appellate court decisions concerning the leadership dispute within the party and should therefore have reflected candidates nominated by the Udeze-led National Executive Committee.

The party alleged that failure to do so amounted to disobedience of court orders. “INEC is fully aware of the appellate court affirmation of the Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led leadership,” the statement said, arguing that publishing a list that excluded candidates nominated by the Udeze-led leadership could amount to contempt of court.

The AA leadership also invoked Section 29 of the Electoral Act 2022, arguing that the provision requires INEC to publish the names of candidates duly nominated by political parties.

It maintained that candidates produced by its leadership emerged from party primaries conducted within the stipulated period and in accordance with applicable electoral laws.

The party further warned that the alleged exclusion could set what it described as a “dangerous precedent” for Nigeria’s democracy, particularly if an electoral umpire could disregard judicial pronouncements in determining which candidates appear on an election ballot.

“This is the level to which INEC has now reduced Action Alliance and indeed Nigeria’s democracy—to ignore court judgments and act with impunity. This cannot stand,” the party stated.

The Udeze-led leadership consequently demanded that INEC withdraw what it described as the “illegal publication” and issue a corrected list reflecting candidates nominated by the Action Alliance under its leadership.

It gave the commission 48 hours to comply with its demand, warning that failure to do so would compel the party to pursue available legal remedies.
The party specifically threatened to initiate contempt proceedings and other legal actions to protect what it described as the rights of Action Alliance, its candidates and its supporters ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to activate all available legal remedies, including contempt proceedings, to protect the rights of our party, our candidates, and the millions of Nigerians who believe in the AA ideology—the Party of the Masses,” the statement said.

The party also appealed to civil society organisations, the media, Nigerians and the international community to monitor the situation and hold INEC accountable for its handling of the dispute.

“INEC must not be allowed to become an agent of illegality. The judiciary spoke, and INEC must obey,” the statement added.

The Action Alliance leadership urged supporters and what it described as lovers of democracy to remain vigilant as the dispute unfolds.