ABUJA, Nigeria (ChatnewsTV) — A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed a lawsuit challenging the appointment of Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the plaintiff’s lack of standing to bring the case.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment, ruled that the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, had no legal capacity to file the suit. “No credible evidence was presented to show that the group is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the name is not recognized by law,” Justice Ekwo stated.
The case revolved around internal party affairs, and the court held that only a national convention of the APC could appoint or remove the party’s chairman. “The group is not a juristic person, and the issue brought before the court is purely the internal business of the APC,” Ekwo added.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, was filed by the North Central APC Forum to challenge Ganduje’s appointment on the grounds that he is not from the North Central geo-political zone, arguing that his selection violated the APC’s constitution.
The plaintiff had asked the court to restrain Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State in the North West, from continuing to act as chairman and sought to nullify actions taken by the party since his appointment in August 2023. They also contended that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) violated Article 31.5(1) f of the APC constitution by appointing Ganduje to replace former chairman Abdullahi Adamu, who hails from Nasarawa State in the North Central region.
Following the dismissal, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ayuba Abdul, vowed to appeal the ruling. “We are not deterred by the court’s decision. We will take this matter to the Court of Appeal,” Abdul told reporters outside the courtroom.
Zazzaga, the leader of the group, echoed his lawyer’s sentiments. “I am not surprised by the way the judgment went. However, we are resolute and will proceed with an appeal,” he said.
Justice Ekwo had previously scheduled Monday for the judgment after a postponement earlier in the month.
