- The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned the case challenging Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje’s APC chairmanship until July 5
- Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the adjournment to allow the plaintiff time to respond to Ganduje’s latest legal challenge
A Federal High Court in Abuja has once again adjourned the case seeking Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje’s removal as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) until July 5.
Justice Inyang Ekwo decided on Wednesday to allow the plaintiff to respond to a fresh application filed by Ganduje challenging the competence of the suit.
During the resumed hearing, Benjamin Davou, the plaintiff’s lawyer, informed the court that he had just received a new motion from Sanusi Musa, SAN, who represented Ganduje. Davou requested time to review the motion before deciding on a response.
Musa did not oppose Davou’s request for an adjournment.
Consequently, Justice Ekwo adjourned the case until July 5 for further proceedings.
On June 13, the judge scheduled today’s hearing after Davou applied to address the notice of preliminary objection and counter affidavit served by Ganduje’s legal team.
The plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, initiated the suit with the reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024.
The case questions the legality of Ganduje’s appointment as APC Chairman, asserting that he is not from the North Central geopolitical zone.
Defendants named in the case include Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiff seeks various reliefs, including an injunction restraining Ganduje from acting as APC Chairman and an order directing INEC not to recognize any actions the APC took under Ganduje’s leadership since August 3, 2023.
The core argument centres on Ganduje’s appointment allegedly violating the APC constitution’s provisions, specifically Article 31.5(1) f, which mandates the replacement of officers from the same geopolitical zone.
The plaintiff contends that the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) exceeded its authority by appointing Ganduje from Kano State to replace Sen. Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geopolitical zone.
Furthermore, the plaintiff argues that Ganduje’s appointment should have followed a democratic election process as stipulated in Article 20(1) of the APC constitution.
They also assert that only the APC’s National Convention has the authority, under Article 13 of the APC constitution, to elect or remove national officers, including the national chairman.
In sum, the plaintiff seeks a judicial declaration that Ganduje’s occupancy of the APC Chairman’s office is illegal and that the NEC lacked the authority to make such an appointment.
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