Tension In AA: INEC Clears Air On Alleged Contempt Of Court In Party Crisis

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports alleging that it disobeyed a Federal High Court order in Osogbo, Osun State, regarding the lingering leadership tussle within the Action Alliance (AA).

Earlier reports had claimed that the court ordered the arrest of former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for allegedly failing to comply with a September 29, 2025 judgment directing the commission to recognise the faction led by Rufai Omoaje.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, October 10, by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC described the reports as “misleading and incomplete.”

According to Olumekun, some sections of the media deliberately omitted crucial facts about the commission’s subsequent actions to comply with the ruling.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports about an order purportedly made by the Federal High Court, Osogbo, for the arrest of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu over alleged disobedience to its judgment on the Action Alliance case.

These reports, however, failed to mention the commission’s compliance steps and erroneously portrayed a matter involving INEC as a personal issue concerning its former chairman,” he stated.

Olumekun explained that INEC had already taken legal steps to comply with the court’s judgment by filing relevant documents at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, on October 6, 2025 — still within the time frame stipulated by the court.

He added that INEC’s website dashboard also reflected recognition of the Action Alliance executive elected on October 7, 2023, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“In line with our long-standing tradition of obeying all valid court judgments, the commission filed its compliance documents before the court on October 6, within the deadline,” Olumekun noted.

INEC Points to Conflicting Judgments

INEC further clarified that a counter-affidavit filed by the judgment creditors alleged partial compliance because the commission did not include Rufai Omoaje’s name as National Chairman.

Olumekun explained that INEC’s decision was based on an existing Court of Appeal judgment that had earlier removed Omoaje from the position of national chairman.

“When complaints of partial compliance arose, we attached the Notice of Appeal filed by the same Omoaje at the Supreme Court against the judgment that ousted him.

The judgment of the Court of Appeal remains superior to that of the Federal High Court; therefore, the commission cannot list Omoaje as chairman while that appellate ruling stands,” he said.

INEC urged media organisations to verify facts before publication to prevent misinformation that could mislead the public and erode trust in democratic institutions.

“We appeal to the media to ensure accuracy in their reports to avoid distorting public understanding of legal proceedings,” the statement added.

The Action Alliance leadership dispute has dragged on since 2023, marked by parallel conventions and conflicting court rulings affirming rival factions.

While the Federal High Court in Osogbo recently ruled in favour of the Omoaje group, the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision removing him as chairman remains valid — a legal contradiction INEC says it must respect until the Supreme Court provides final clarity.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and complying with valid court judgments in all political party matters.