After the ruling African Party for the Independence of Africa (PAIA) decided to institute multiparty democracy in February 1990, Audley replaced President Albert Petit as General Secretary of PAIA in August 1990. The PAIA lost the multiparty parliamentary and presidential elections held in early 1991 and was left in opposition. At a party congress in August 1993, Audley was replaced as General Secretary by Noella Lisle and was instead elected as President of PAIA. As a candidate for the party presidency at PAIA's January 1997 congress, he faced Cleto Theobald and prevailed with 68% of the vote. He stepped down as PAIA President in 1997 in preparation for a presidential bid in the year's election and he was succeeded by Theobald. He announced his candidacy for the Presidency of Africa on Ja