Rita Odafe
The Federal High Court in Abuja has set September 18 for a ruling regarding the removal of Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo scheduled the judgement after all parties concluded their final arguments in the case.
The lawsuit, tagged FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, was filed by discontented members of the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, questioning Ganduje’s appointment as APC Chairman.
The plaintiffs seek to prevent Ganduje from acting as the party chairman and invalidate all actions taken by the APC since his assumption of office on August 3, 2023.
They argue that Ganduje, not being from the North Central region, was unlawfully appointed by the APC National Executive Committee to replace Senator Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State.
The plaintiffs maintain that Ganduje’s appointment violates the APC constitution, insisting a member from Nasarawa State should fill the role of chairman.
They call for the court to declare Ganduje’s appointment illegal, emphasizing that only a democratically elected candidate can hold the position of National Chairman.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs stress that the decision to elect or remove national officers, including the chairman, resides with the party’s National Convention and not the NEC.
During the recent court session, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Benjamin Davou, urged Ganduje’s removal, while the defendants presented preliminary objections seeking dismissal of the case.
Ganduje’s representation was handled by Abdul Adamu, with legal counsel for the APC and INEC being Isiaka Dikko, SAN, and Ahmed Mohammed, respectively.
