Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent

Ogun: Ijebu North Residents Urged to Vote for APC in Upcoming Local Government Elections

Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo

Ijebu North, Ogun State – November 13, 2024 – In a passionate call to action, Hon. Prince Segun Kaka, a distinguished member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, has urged the residents of Ijebu North to turn out in large numbers and cast their votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming local gov¹ernment elections scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Addressing a gathering of local party supporters and community leaders, Hon. Kaka emphasized the importance of civic engagement and the role of local governance in shaping the future of the community. “This is not just an election; it’s an opportunity for us to choose leaders who are committed to the progress and development of our localities,” he stated. “We must come together and make our voices heard.”

The local government elections are critical as they determine the leadership that will manage essential services and initiatives at the grassroots level. Hon. Kaka highlighted the APC’s track record in Ogun State, noting significant improvements in infrastructure, education, and health services under their governance. He urged voters to reflect on these achievements when they head to the polls.

“We have seen firsthand the positive changes that our party has brought to Ijebu North and the entire Ogun State,” he said. “It is vital that we continue this momentum by electing representatives who prioritize the needs of the people and are dedicated to furthering our development.”

Hon. Kaka also addressed concerns regarding voter apathy, urging the community to recognize the power of their vote. “Every single vote matters. Your participation is crucial in determining the leadership that will impact our lives for years to come,” he asserted. “Let us not take this responsibility lightly. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to be active participants in our democracy.”

As the election date approaches, party officials and supporters are ramping up efforts to mobilize voters across Ijebu North. Campaign rallies, door-to-door outreach, and community engagement programs are being organized to ensure that every resident understands the importance of their vote.

In conclusion, Hon. Kaka’s rallying cry resonates with a sense of urgency and determination. “Let us show our strength as a community by coming out en masse on November 16th,” he implored. “Together, we can secure a brighter future for Ijebu North under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress.”

As the community prepares for the election, the call to action from Hon. Kaka serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the vital role each citizen plays in shaping their governance.

Baltasar Engonga: The Untold Story Of Equatorial Guinea’s Sex Tape Leak

In recent weeks, Equatorial Guinea has been rocked by an explosive scandal involving leaked sex tapes of Baltasar Ebang Mr Engonga, a senior civil servant and nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

What began as a salacious scandal may, in fact, be the latest power play in the fight over the country’s presidential succession.

Dozens of explicit videos—estimated between 150 to more than 400— surfaced on social media, showing Mr Engonga, known as “Bello” for his good looks, engaging in sexual acts with multiple women in his office and other locations. Some of the women were reported to be the wives and relatives of high-ranking officials, adding fuel to the political firestorm.

While the identity of those who leaked the tapes remained unclear, some speculated that the scandal was part of a coordinated effort to discredit Mr Engonga. He was one of several figures thought to be vying to replace President Nguema, the world’s longest-serving president, who has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979.

As news of the tapes spread, observers began questioning the timing and purpose of the leaks. Just days before the videos surfaced, Mr Engonga was arrested on charges of embezzling state funds and was held in the notorious Black Beach prison. His phones and computers were confiscated, leading to suspicions that security forces may have been involved in leaking the recordings.

Equatoguinean activist Nsang Christia Esimi Cruz, speaking from London on the ‘BBC Focus on Africa’ podcast, suggested that the scandal was part of a larger power struggle. “What we are seeing is the end of an era, the end of the current president, and there is a succession and this is the internal fighting we are seeing,” said Mr Cruz.

He believed Vice President Teodoro Obiang Mangue—who also happened to be the president’s son—was using the scandal to eliminate political opponents, including Engonga.

The vice president made headlines before for his extravagant lifestyle, which included once owning a $275,000 crystal-encrusted glove worn by Michael Jackson. However, Mr Cruz alleged that the vice-president, along with his mother, was now clearing the path for his ascension to power by sidelining potential challengers.

While the leaked videos captivated the public beyond Equatorial Guinea, some activists argued that the real issue was much larger. Equatorial Guinea was plagued by economic decline as its once-booming oil reserves dwindled. Despite vast wealth among a small elite, many of the country’s 1.7 million residents continued to live in poverty. The Nguema administration faced numerous accusations of human rights abuses, including arbitrary killings and torture, according to a United States government report.

Activist Cruz expressed frustration that international attention focused on the sex scandal rather than the broader problems facing the country. “Equatorial Guinea has much bigger problems than this sex scandal,” he said, explaining that the leak is “just a symptom of the illness, it’s not the illness itself.”

Indeed, palace intrigue has long been a defining feature of Equatorial Guinea’s political landscape. Although the country held regular elections, there was no meaningful opposition. Political rivals and activists were often jailed or exiled, and allegations of coup plotting were common. The scandal appeared to be the latest chapter in this ongoing struggle for power.

In response to the scandal, Vice-President Obiang Mangue took swift action. On October 30, he ordered telecom companies to curb the spread of the videos. “We cannot continue to watch families fall apart without taking any action,” he wrote on social media. Despite the efforts, the clips continued to circulate.

Engonga faced additional legal troubles. The police encouraged the women involved in the videos to file complaints, and at least one has announced her intention to sue him for non-consensual distribution of the tapes. It remained unclear why Engonga recorded his sexcapades, though some suggested it was for personal leverage.

LEADERSHIP reports that on November 6, the vice-president called for the installation of CCTV cameras in government offices “to combat indecent and illicit acts” and ordered that officials caught engaging in sex at work be suspended. He also lamented that the scandal had “denigrated the image of the country.”

The incident cast a shadow over President Nguema’s legacy as his 44-year rule neared its end. His administration’s crackdown on social media, including temporary internet suspensions during protests earlier this year, raised concerns among activists. Mr Cruz suspected he government may use this scandal as a pretext to impose further restrictions on social media, the main platform for information dissemination in the country.

While the sex tapes brought international attention to Equatorial Guinea, particularly in neighbouring Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, the larger issue remained the uncertain future of the presidency. With various factions jostling for power, the country’s political elite appeared to be on the brink of a major reshuffle—one where sex, scandal, and secrecy continued to play pivotal roles.