A Federal High Court in Abuja has set June 13 as the hearing date for a suit seeking to prevent Abdullahi Ganduje from acting as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo made this decision to allow the involved parties to regularize their legal submissions.
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The suit, filed by the North Central APC Forum and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/599/24, names Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively.
The forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, is also seeking a court order directing INEC not to recognize any actions taken by the APC under Ganduje’s chairmanship since his appointment on August 3, 2023.
In their originating summons dated May 6, the forum argues that Ganduje’s appointment is unconstitutional because he hails from Kano State in the North West, whereas the previous chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, was from Nasarawa State in the North Central Geo-Political Zone.
They contend that the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) violated the party’s constitution by not selecting a replacement from the same zone as Adamu, as stipulated by Article 31.5(1) f of the APC constitution.
The forum insists that the APC should have appointed a chairman from Nasarawa State in accordance with the party’s procedures for filling vacancies.
They are asking the court to declare Ganduje’s appointment illegal and to affirm that he can only be installed as chairman through a democratically conducted election as outlined in Article 20(1) of the APC constitution.
During the hearing, the claimant’s counsel, Ayuba Abdul, noted that the case was initially set for hearing a motion for substituted service of their court documents on Ganduje, due to unsuccessful attempts by the bailiff to serve him.
However, Ganduje’s lawyer, Sanusi Musa, SAN, appeared in court and confirmed he was willing to accept the documents on behalf of his client.
Abdul acknowledged receipt of a counter affidavit and a preliminary objection from the APC’s counsel, Ishaka Dikko, SAN.
Justice Ekwo then adjourned the matter until June 13, directing all parties to file and respond to the necessary applications before the next hearing.
The judge also ordered that a hearing notice be issued to INEC, which was not represented at the proceedings.
