The Federal High Court Abuja has declined the requested by the Action Alliance (AA) to review the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the lingering leadership legal battle of the party.
J
ustice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday, ruled that it’s an aberration for a High Court to review the judgment of a higher court or court of coordinate jurisdiction
The ruling by Justice Ekwo was sequel to an application by the Kenneth Udeeze led National Executive Committee of the party, seeking the determination of whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can accept and upload nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections from another factional leaders in view of the Court of Appeal judgment affirming his leadership.
But in his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that his court has no jurisdictional power to sit and review the decisions of the second highest Court in the land.
According to him, sitting at the high court to review such judgment of a higher court will amount to sitting on an appeal of the Court of Appeal, which according to him is an abberation.
Besides, Justice Ekwo held that leadership of political parties is not by order of court, but by the Constitution of the party governing the mode of choosing its leaders.
The judge subsequently struck out the suit.
Reacting to the ruling, Counsel to the plaintiff, Madeh Yakubu praised the reasoning of the judge and said that his client, the AA under Kenneth Udeze, will apply for certified true copy, study it and take necessary steps.
Also reacting to the judgment, Udeze told journalists that he remained the authentic national chairman of the party and that candidates nominated by his leadership will participate in the 2027 general elections.
He further told journalists that INEC has no power to accept candidates nomination from any any other group other than his own based on the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered in 2025, recognizing his leadership of the party.
He however, said that after carefully studying the current ruling, he may approach the Court of Appeal for pronouncement on which leadership of the party is legally bound to nominate candidates for next year general elections.
It will be recalled that one Adekunle Rufai Omaje and Kenneth Udeze had been locked in fierce legal battle over the leadership of the party in the last ten years.
