FCT: Sowore, AAC factions clash at INEC headquarters over party’s ownership

THE contestation over ownership of the African Alliance Congress between Omoyele Sowore and Leonard Ezenwa led to a shouting match today between members of both factional groups.

This is because as of the time of filing this report the two groups are currently occupying the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to counter each other.

The Sowore group is seeking recognition as original owners of the party whereas INEC has already recognised the Ezenwa-led group.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had, in July 12, 2019, sacked Omoyele Sowore as the National Chairman of the African Action Congress, AAC.

The court, in the judgment that was delivered by Justice Iyang Ekwo, said it was satisfied that Sowore who was the presidential standard-bearer the AAC, was validly suspended by the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party.

It said there was nothing to contradict affidavit evidence that showed that NEC of the party had in a resolution it passed on March 27, handed six months suspension to both Sowore and his Deputy, Malcolm Fabiyi.

The court held that neither Sowore nor Fabiyi defended the suit that applied for an order to stop them from further parading themselves as the National Chairman and Deputy National Chairman of the party.

Also, last week the AAC, under the leadership Ezenwa group sacked Sowore from the party.

It said AAC presidential standard-bearer in the 2019 election, Omoyele Sowore was presently unknown to the party as he was allegedly expelled by its highest decision making organ.

The party also claimed that the convener of the Revolution Now’s utterances and behavior have become a security risk and should be investigated by the security agencies before he plunges the country into crisis.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the National Chairman of AAC, Dr. Leonard Nzenwa said the letter by Sowore to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, claiming to be the Chairman of the party amounted to impersonation.

Ezenwa’s  statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to ongoing mobilization to hide under the name of our great party to wreak havoc on and burn down INEC offices nationwide, attack other public infrastructure and cause mayhem across the nation.

“Only last week, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, that I lead bemoaned the state of insecurity in the country wherein we called on Mr. President to declare a State of Emergency on National Security even as we condemned in strong terms actions of some State and Non-State Actors in fanning embers of disunity through their speeches and actions.

“Same last week some group of people led by one Omoyele Stephen Sowore, a former member of our great Party, who was not only suspended and removed as National Chairman of the party but also expelled over various proven allegations of financial recklessness and misappropriation of party funds, abuse of party constitution, high-handedness etc started displaying and carrying out dangerously criminal actions, under the name of our great party thereby committing various crimes thereof.

“African Action Congress, AAC is indeed appalled by acts of a man who now appears to have relapsed and clearly is manifesting psychopathic and delirious behaviour after his expulsion since 2019.