Court dismisses suit against Ganduje’s APC chairmanship
By Babatunde Opoola, Abuja
A federal high court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Abdullahi Ganduje as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ruling that the suit was premature and the issues raised were within the purview of the internal affairs of the political party.
In a delivered judgement on Monday, Inyang Ekwo, presiding judge, held that the suit was premature and the issues raised were within the purview of the internal affairs of the political party.
“The plaintiff has not shown any credible evidence that it is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and therefore lacks the locus to have instituted this suit,” Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, said.
The North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, had challenged the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as chair, arguing that the national executive committee (NEC) of the APC breached the party’s constitution.
“We queried the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as chair since he is not from any state in the north-central geopolitical zone,” Zazzaga said.
However, the court ruled that the suit was premature and the issues raised were within the purview of the internal affairs of the political party.
“The suit is premature and the issues raised are within the purview of the internal affairs of the political party,” Ekwo said.
Ayuba Abdul, counsel to the plaintiff, expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment and vowed to appeal.
“The judgment will be appealed. We are not satisfied with the judgment,” Abdul said.
Ganduje, who was appointed as the APC national chairman on August 3, 2023, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to resolve its internal crises and emerge victorious in the elections.
“APC will win Edo and Ondo governorship elections, despite the internal crises,” Ganduje said.
The development comes as the APC prepares for the 2023 general elections. The party has been embroiled in internal crises, with several factions vying for control.
The dismissal of the suit is a victory for Ganduje and his supporters.
However, the appeal planned by the plaintiff means the legal battle is far from over.
