On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit aimed at removing former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje from his position as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum led by Saleh Zazzaga, lacked the standing to bring the case. According to NAN, the judge emphasized that the group failed to provide credible evidence of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and noted that the group’s name was not legally recognized.
The court determined that the forum was not a legal entity, and the matters raised pertained to the internal affairs of the APC. Justice Ekwo asserted that any appointment or removal of the party’s national chairman must occur through a national convention.
Following the ruling, the group’s attorney, Ayuba Abdul, expressed intentions to appeal the decision. Zazzaga also commented, stating he was not surprised by the judgment but reiterated their plans to challenge it.
The court had scheduled the judgment after a hearing on September 18, setting the date for September 23.
The North Central APC Forum had filed the suit questioning the validity of Ganduje’s appointment as chairman, arguing that he did not originate from the North Central geopolitical zone. The case, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, named Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
The plaintiffs sought several actions from the court, including an order preventing Ganduje from claiming the title of APC chairman and directing INEC not to recognize any party activities, including congresses and nominations, since Ganduje assumed the role on August 3, 2023.
The plaintiffs contended that Ganduje’s position was illegal due to his lack of affiliation with a North Central state. They accused the National Executive Committee (NEC) of violating the APC constitution by appointing him from Kano State in the North West to succeed Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, who was from Nasarawa State in the North Central zone.
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