The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit by the Kenneth Udeze-led faction of the Action Alliance (AA), ruling that it lacks jurisdiction to review a Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his ruling on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, held that a High Court cannot exercise appellate powers over a superior court, describing such an attempt as an aberration.
The suit sought a determination of whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could accept and upload candidate nominations submitted by a rival faction for the 2027 general elections, despite an appellate judgment affirming Udeze’s leadership.
The judge struck out the case for want of jurisdiction, adding that political party leadership must be determined in accordance with the procedures established by the parties’ constitutions.
The ruling is the latest development in the prolonged contest between Udeze and the faction led by Adekunle Rufai Omoaje over control of the party.
READ ALSO: 2027: Turaki-Led PDP Faction Endorses G-100 Opposition Coalition Against APC
On March 28, 2022, the Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Eleojo Enenche, recognised Udeze as the party’s authentic national chairman.
The Court of Appeal upheld the decision on January 26, 2024, dismissing Omoaje’s challenge in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/955/2022 and awarding him ₦4 million in costs.
However, the dispute continued after the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, delivered a judgment on September 29, 2025, favouring the rival faction.
INEC’s online party register also lists Omoaje as national chairman under a court-order designation, reflecting the competing claims over the party’s leadership.
Justice Ekwo’s ruling addressed the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction and did not determine which faction is entitled to nominate candidates for the 2027 elections.