APC National Chairmanship Seat: Court Sets September 18 to Decide Ganduje’s Fate

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled September 18 to deliver its judgment on a lawsuit seeking the removal of Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, the court fixed the date following the adoption of final briefs of argument by all parties involved.

The suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, was filed by aggrieved members of the APC under the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga. The plaintiffs are challenging the legality of Ganduje’s appointment as APC Chairman and are seeking to restrain him from further acting in that capacity.

The plaintiffs are also requesting the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize any actions taken by the APC, including congresses, primaries, and nominations, since Ganduje’s appointment on August 3, 2023.

The plaintiffs argue that Ganduje’s appointment violates the APC’s constitution, as he is from Kano State in the North West geopolitical zone, whereas the previous chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, was from Nasarawa State in the North Central zone. They contend that this appointment contradicts Article 31.5(1) f of the APC constitution and exceeds the NEC’s authority.

According to the plaintiffs, Article 31.5(1) of the APC Constitution 2013 (as amended) mandates that a replacement for an officer must come from the same state and geopolitical zone. They also assert that, per Article 20(1), Ganduje could only be appointed through a democratically conducted election, rendering his current position illegal.

The plaintiffs further claim that, under Article 13 of the APC constitution, the party’s National Convention is the ultimate authority capable of electing or removing national officers, including the chairman. They argue that the NEC lacks the authority to appoint anyone to this position.

During the proceedings, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Benjamin Davou, urged the court to grant the reliefs sought and remove Ganduje. In contrast, the defendants, represented by Mr. Abdul Adamu for Ganduje, Isiaka Dikko, SAN, for the APC, and Ahmed Mohammed for INEC, called for the dismissal of the suit for lack of merit.