Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking the removal of Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The case, brought against Ganduje by the APC North Central Group, was dismissed by the court on several grounds.
Justice Ekwo ruled that the APC North Central Group is not a recognized legal entity and lacks the capacity to file such a suit. Additionally, the court found that the plaintiffs had not exhausted internal party mechanisms for resolving disputes before seeking judicial intervention.
The judge further emphasized that the appointment of party officials by the APC’s National Executive Committee is an internal party matter that the court cannot interfere with.
The APC North Central Group had filed the suit against Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), requesting the nullification of Ganduje’s appointment, citing violations of the party’s Constitution.
The North Central APC group argued that Abdullahi Ganduje’s appointment as National Chairman violated Article 13 of the APC Constitution, which mandates that party appointments be made through a democratic process.
Led by Saleh Zazzaga, the North Central APC Forum filed the lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of Ganduje’s appointment, asserting that the position should have been filled by a candidate from the North Central geo-political zone, as it was their turn to occupy the role.
In their suit, the group sought a court order to prevent Ganduje from continuing to serve as APC National Chairman.
They also requested that the court instruct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize any actions taken by the APC under Ganduje’s leadership, including party congresses, primaries, and nominations since his appointment on August 3, 2023.