Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), has refuted recent media claims suggesting that a court mandated the arrest and detention of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement released on Thursday, Udeze labeled these reports as baseless and urged the public to ignore such misinformation.
Earlier news had indicated that Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, issued an order for the arrest and imprisonment of Prof. Yakubu. This was allegedly due to his non-compliance with a court ruling linked to a lawsuit initiated by former members of the Action Alliance.
The case, referenced as FHC/OS/194/2024, reportedly sought a directive compelling INEC and its former chairman to reinstate certain national officers of the Action Alliance on the Commission’s official website, following their purported removal.
Contrary to these reports, Udeze affirmed that no such court ruling or arrest order exists, branding the stories as fabricated.
“Regarding the alleged court order against Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, I urge Nigerians to dismiss these unfounded rumors. No such judgment has been issued,” Udeze emphasized.
He also dismissed claims of another court decision from the same Federal High Court in Osogbo, which supposedly recognized the Adekunle Rufai Omoaje-led faction as the legitimate leadership of the AA.
Udeze reiterated that the legitimacy of the party’s leadership was conclusively resolved by both the trial court and the Court of Appeal, affirming his administration’s authority.
“The rightful leadership of Action Alliance has been firmly established by the judiciary in our favor,” he stated. “Our legal team has been instructed to pursue all necessary actions to overturn this purported judgment.”
He called on party members and supporters nationwide to stay composed, respect the law, and concentrate on the party’s current initiatives.
“Members of the Action Alliance throughout Nigeria and beyond should remain peaceful and law-abiding. Under my leadership, the national executive is fully in charge of the party’s operations,” Udeze assured.
