By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Action Alliance (AA) has expressed deep concern over what it described as the worsening economic hardship, rising unemployment and persistent insecurity confronting Nigerians, warning that the challenges pose serious threats to national stability and democratic governance.

The party also identified judicial delays, declining public services, social unrest and alleged disregard for court judgments by public institutions as some of the critical issues requiring urgent government attention.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Kenneth Udeze, said the country was facing multiple crises that demanded decisive and coordinated intervention from both the Federal and State Governments.

Udeze noted that while insecurity remains a major concern, the economic realities facing ordinary Nigerians have become increasingly unbearable, with soaring inflation and the rising cost of essential commodities placing immense pressure on households across the country.

According to him, the prices of food, fuel, medicines and other basic necessities have continued to rise beyond the reach of many citizens, pushing millions further into poverty and worsening the standard of living across the country.

He called on governments at all levels to implement policies capable of reducing hardship, creating employment opportunities and restoring public confidence in governance.

The AA chairman, however, commended the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, describing the operation as a demonstration of what can be achieved through effective collaboration among relevant stakeholders.

While applauding the successful rescue operation, Udeze urged authorities not to relent in their efforts to secure the freedom of other Nigerians still being held captive by kidnappers and criminal elements across various parts of the country.

“Nigeria continues to grapple with enormous challenges. Beyond insecurity, citizens are confronted with severe economic hardship. Inflation and the rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other necessities have placed unprecedented burdens on millions of families,” he said.

The party leader further stressed that government responses to the nation’s challenges must be driven by sincerity, competence and a commitment to the welfare of citizens.

On the state of the nation’s democracy, Udeze warned that democratic institutions must remain accountable to the law, insisting that respect for judicial decisions is fundamental to the survival of constitutional governance.

He argued that institutions established to protect democracy should not be seen as disregarding the very laws and judicial pronouncements they are expected to uphold.

The Action Alliance chairman also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to recognise his National Executive Committee despite what he described as subsisting judgments of the Court of Appeal affirming his leadership of the party.

According to Udeze, several letters were transmitted to the electoral commission through the party’s legal representatives on May 5, May 6 and July 22, 2026, requesting the restoration of the Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee on INEC’s official records.

He alleged that despite the communications and the court judgments, the commission had yet to take any action, prompting the party to address the issue publicly.

Udeze maintained that INEC had previously recognised his leadership based on various Court of Appeal decisions before allegedly changing its position and recognising another faction of the party.

He further cited Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates the enforcement of Court of Appeal judgments by all authorities and persons throughout the federation, questioning what he described as the commission’s refusal to comply with valid and subsisting judicial pronouncements.

The AA chairman called on relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organisations and the media, to take an interest in the matter, insisting that adherence to the rule of law remains essential for the protection of democracy and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.