INEC backs Sowore as AAC chairman, faults suspension

Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it recognises Omoyele Sowore as the substantive national chairman of African Action Congress (AAC).

The commission made this known in a letter dated May 14 by its secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

According to the letter, there was no evidence of the meeting in which Sowore was suspended, as some of the party leaders had claimed.

“There is no documentary evidence that a meeting of the AAC National Executive Committee was convened by the National Chairman as required by chapter 9 section 59(a) of the AAC constitution,” the letter said.

A member of AAC National Executive Committee (NEC), Mazi Okwy, had on Monday announced that the party had suspended its national chairman, Sowore, and eight others over alleged anti-party activities.

Okwy said the decision was reached during the party’s NEC meeting in Abuja.

He also said the party had appointed Leonard Ezenwa as acting national chairman, and Abayomi Olufemi as his deputy.

Sowore also reacted by suspending those who participated in the said meeting, and expelled Ezenwa.

“The party did not provide a 21-day notice of the NEC meeting as required by section 85(1) of the Electoral Act 2010.

“There are no minutes or evidence of attendance of the AAC National Executive Committee meeting where the National Chairman and eight others were purportedly suspended.

“Accordingly, the Commission shall continue to recognise and relate with Mr. Sowore Omoyele as the substantive National Chairman of the AAC,” INEC said.