The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the suit seeking to remove Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to July 5.
Justice Inyang Ekwo made this decision to give the litigants time to respond to a counter-affidavit filed by Ganduje challenging the suit’s competence.
The case, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, was initiated by members of the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga. They are questioning Ganduje’s appointment and asking the court to prevent him from acting as the party chairman. They also want the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard all actions taken by the APC since Ganduje’s appointment on August 3, 2023.
The plaintiffs claim Ganduje’s appointment is illegal because he is not from the North Central geopolitical zone, arguing that the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) violated the party’s constitution by appointing him. They assert that the NEC overstepped its powers and that the party should have appointed someone from Nasarawa State to replace Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
They seek a court declaration that Ganduje’s appointment is invalid, as it did not follow a democratically conducted election, and that only the party’s national convention has the authority to elect or remove national officers, including the chairman. They also contend that the NEC lacks the power to appoint a chairman.
During the hearing, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Benjamin Davou, requested more time to respond to new documents from Ganduje’s lawyer. This request was not opposed by Raymond Asikeni, SAN, representing Ganduje. Consequently, Justice Ekwo adjourned the case for further hearing.
