The Action Alliance, on Saturday, amended its Constitution and extended the tenure of its National Chairman, Kenneth Udeze, and other national officers by two years.
The party made the move to make up for lost time due to internal conflicts and court cases.
Also, the party at the well-attended 5th national convention in Abuja on Saturday, approved the expulsion of former executive members of the party, Mr Rufia Omoaje and 22 others over anti-party activities.
The motion to extend the tenure of Udeze and other national officers was moved by Calistus Andem, a delegate from Akwa Ibom and was endorsed by all delegates who attended the convention.
Titled, “Motion for the proposed tenure extension of Barr. Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman of Action Alliance Vernimbe A. James, the National Secretary of Action Alliance and other National Executive Committee and National Think Tank Committee.
The motion read as follows: “The leadership of our great party has witnessed various disruptions as a result of numerous court cases filed against the party and its leadership led by Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze”.
“At various times, the electoral body has recognized some factions led by former members of the party, and this caused serious disruption in the tenure of our duly elected party officers for more than two years”.
“Bearing in mind the current leadership of the Action Alliance led by Barr. Kenneth Udeze has recorded tremendous progress in the management of the affairs of the party and has deployed their wealth of experience, into ensuring that the party takes its rightful place in Nigeria”.
“It is, therefore, imperative that the tenure of Barr. Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman of Action Alliance, Vernimbe A James, the National Secretary of Action Alliance and other National Executive Committee and National Think Tank Committee, whose terms in office were disrupted by the internal crisis and numerous court cases filed against the party by former members of the party, be extended.
I, do hereby humbly wish to move a motion for the extension of the tenure of Barr. Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman of Action Alliance, Vernimbe A. James, the National Secretary of Action Alliance and other National Executive Committee and National Think Tank Committee for a period of 24 months starting from 13th, April, 2025 when the four-year tenure of the present National Executives expires to when the Elective National Convention of the party will hold in 2027.”
The motion for the expulsion of the 23 party members was read as follows: “Over the years, every member of this great party knows the challenges faced by our party due to the undemocratic and anti-party activities of some members.
“Without any iota of doubt, no party will survive the sabotage by its members. And the relevant organs of the party have looked into the various allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities by some members and found them wanting in line with the Constitution of our party.
“The seriousness of the misconduct and anti-party activities is really threatening the survival of our party and if not urgently addressed, would affect our founding vision.
“I have considered the gravity of the allegations and the report. In order to protect the values and visions of our great party, I hereby move a motion for the expulsion of the following persons from the Action Alliance:
“Adekunle Omoaje, Awofala Awoniyi, Orgwu Miller, Adewole Joshua, and Olu Omotosho,” among others.
Meanwhile, the party has amended Article 33(a) of its Constitution to read, “All officers of the party at all levels elected pursuant to the provisions of this Constitution shall unless suspended, removed, expelled or on leave of absence, remain in office for each period of the term of four years and may be re-elected to the same office, or as the case may be, such tenure or term in office may be extended by the National Think Tank Committee.
“The amendment, the party said, was in view of the need to reflect the progressive conduct of the affairs of our party and prevent any likely development that may derail effective leadership and operation of our great party.”