Nigeria’s Top Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Removal of APC National Chairman
Abdullahi Ganduje, the embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has suffered a major blow as a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking his removal. The court ruling, handed down by Justice Inyang Ekwo, stated that the plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum, had no locus to institute the suit.
According to the court, the group had failed to present credible evidence to show that it was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), rendering its name unknown to law. Furthermore, the court held that the group was not a juristic person, as the issue in question pertained to the internal affairs of the APC.
The suit, filed by the North Central APC Forum, had sought to nullify Ganduje’s appointment as APC chairman, citing his lack of affiliation to the North Central geo-political zone. The group had also requested the court to restrain Ganduje from further parading himself as the party’s chairman and to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize any actions taken by the APC since Ganduje’s appointment.
In his reaction to the ruling, the group’s lawyer, Ayuba Abdul, vowed to appeal the decision, stating, “I am not surprised the way the judgment has gone. However, we will appeal the decision.”
The North Central APC Forum had argued that Ganduje’s appointment breached the party’s constitution, as the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC had appointed him without considering the zone he hails from. They also claimed that Ganduje’s appointment was ultra vires the powers of the NEC, among other reliefs.
Ganduje’s supporters, on the other hand, have hailed the court’s decision, terming it a major victory for the APC chairman. The suit’s dismissal paves the way for Ganduje to continue in his role as APC chairman, despite opposition from some quarters within the party.
As the political drama unfolds, the APC will likely continue to face intense scrutiny and internal conflicts, with many hoping for a more peaceful resolution to the crisis. For now, Ganduje can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that his position remains secure.
