By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

National Chairman of the Action Alliance, Chief Kenneth Udeze, has hailed the Court of Appeal judgment affirming his leadership as a decisive victory for justice and internal democracy within the party.

Reacting to the ruling delivered by the Court of Appeal in Makurdi, Udeze said the verdict has finally laid to rest the prolonged dispute over the legitimacy of the party’s National Executive elected at the February 22, 2025 National Convention in Abuja.

“The judgment is a clear vindication of our position and a triumph of the rule of law. It has conclusively settled all questions regarding the legality of our leadership and the convention that produced us,” Udeze stated.

The appellate court had dismissed an appeal filed by Dr. Manga Asha, who challenged the validity of the convention on the grounds that Udeze and the National Secretary, Mr. James Vernimbe, lacked the authority to convene it. The court, however, upheld an earlier High Court ruling affirming both the convention and the Udeze-led executive.

Udeze noted that the ruling marks a turning point for the party, stressing that the era of internal wrangling is now over.

“With this decision, the distractions are behind us. We can now focus fully on rebuilding, strengthening our structures, and positioning the Action Alliance as a credible platform in Nigeria’s democratic process,” he said.

He urged aggrieved members to sheath their swords and join hands with the leadership to move the party forward, emphasizing unity and collective purpose.

Udeze also expressed confidence that the judgment provides much-needed clarity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its engagement with the party.

“There is no longer any ambiguity as to who the lawful leaders of the Action Alliance are. We are ready to work with INEC and other stakeholders to deepen democracy and actively participate in future elections,” he added.

He commended the judiciary for what he described as a thorough and courageous handling of the matter, reaffirming his commitment to leading the party in line with its constitution and the rule of law.