The Federal High Court in Abuja has set September 18 as the date to deliver its judgment on a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of Abdullahi Ganduje’s position as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, the court fixed the date after hearing final arguments from all parties involved.
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The lawsuit, filed by members of the North Central APC Forum, is spearheaded by Saleh Zazzaga.
The plaintiffs argue that Ganduje’s appointment as APC Chairman is improper and violates the party’s constitution.
They seek a court order to prevent Ganduje from acting as the chairman and to nullify all actions taken by the APC under his leadership since his appointment on August 3, 2023.
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The plaintiffs assert that Ganduje, hailing from Kano State in the North West geo-political zone, should not have replaced Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who is from Nasarawa State in the North Central zone.
They claim this appointment breaches Article 31.5(1) of the APC constitution, which they argue mandates that a replacement must come from the same geo-political zone as the outgoing officer.
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They also contend that Ganduje’s appointment did not follow the democratic election process required by Article 20(1) of the APC constitution.
Moreover, they argue that only the party’s National Convention, as stipulated in Article 13, has the authority to elect or remove national officers, including the chairman, and that the NEC overstepped its powers in appointing Ganduje.
During the proceedings, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Benjamin Davou, urged the court to grant their requests and remove Ganduje from his position.
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In response, the defendants, represented by Abdul Adamu for Ganduje, Isiaka Dikko, SAN, for the APC, and Ahmed Mohammed for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), requested the court to dismiss the suit, arguing it lacks merit.
The outcome of this legal battle will be determined on September 18, when Justice Ekwo delivers the court’s judgment.
