Drama as Security Agents Sent Out Former Chairman of AA from INEC Headquarters
By: Femi Mustapha
A mild drama ensued on Tuesday at the National headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja as security agents sent a former member of the Action Alliance (AA), Mr. Kenneth Udeze, out of the commission’s conference room where chairmen of various registered political parties met with the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu.
The meeting, called at the instance of INEC Chairman, Prof Yakubu, was meant to assess the last general election. The Commission had invited the Chairmen of all the registered political parties to the meeting, including that of the Action Alliance, Dr. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje.
Omoaje, recently recognized by INEC and with his name inserted into the commission’s official website, arrived at the meeting venue promptly and was duly cleared by security personnel, including officials of the Department of State Services (DSS). He was given all the necessary souvenirs for the meeting.
However, it was later discovered that the seat meant for the AA chairman (Omoaje) had been occupied by Udeze before his (Omoaje’s) arrival.
As a result, security personnel at the venue of the meeting accosted Udeze, who was alleged to be an impostor, but he refused to leave his seat until he was forcefully chased out.
Security operatives attached to the INEC headquarters later chased Udeze out of the meeting venue, and Omoaje, the authentic national chairman of the Action Alliance, took over the seat prepared for the party.
Udeze was said to have breached all security arrangements made ahead of the meeting, as he was not cleared by the security personnel before entering the meeting.
It would be recalled that Udeze had been suspended and subsequently expelled from the party by the National Think Tank Committee of the party for various alleged offences.
Reacting to the development, the national chairman of the party, Dr. Omoaje, hailed the security agents for the mature manner in which the matter was handled. He warned Udeze to desist from his lawless acts and stop impersonating as a member of the AA or an official of the party. Dr. Omoaje called on all security agencies to put their searchlight on Udeze henceforth, stressing that he had since ceased to be a member of the party.
