The legal battle seeking the removal of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has once again been adjourned by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to a report by The Sun News, Justice Inyang Ekwo has rescheduled the hearing of the case to July 5, granting more time for the plaintiff to respond to a fresh application filed by Ganduje challenging the competence of the suit.
The plaintiff in the case is the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, who filed the suit questioning the legitimacy of Ganduje’s appointment as the APC chairman on the grounds that he is not from the North Central geo-political zone.
The defendants in the case are Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The lawsuit seeks to restrain Ganduje from acting as the chairman of the APC and to invalidate all actions taken by the party since his appointment in August 2023, including congresses, primaries, and nominations.
The plaintiff argues that Ganduje’s appointment violates the APC constitution and that he cannot hold the office of chairman without being democratically elected.
The crux of the plaintiff’s argument is that Ganduje’s appointment to replace Sen. Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central was in breach of the party’s constitution.
They claim that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC overstepped its authority by appointing Ganduje from Kano State in the North West to the position.
The plaintiff asserts that Article 31.5(1) of the APC constitution stipulates that a member from Nasarawa State should have been selected for the role.
Furthermore, the plaintiff contends that the APC’s National Convention is the only body with the power to elect or remove national officers, including the chairman, as stated in Article 13 of the party’s constitution.
They argue that the NEC did not have the authority to appoint Ganduje as chairman without following the proper procedures outlined in the constitution.
As the legal battle continues, both parties are preparing their arguments to present to the court.
Benjamin Davou, the plaintiff’s lawyer, requested additional time to study the fresh motion served by Ganduje’s legal team before responding.
The court granted the adjournment until July 5 to allow for this review process.
Given the complexity of the case and the significant implications of the outcome for the APC, the delay in the proceedings is causing uncertainty and anxiety among party members and supporters..…….See More
Meet 4 Animals That Mourn And Conduct Funerals When A Member Of Their Family Or Partner Dies