North Central APC Forum to Appeal Court Ruling Dismissing Bid to Remove Ganduje as National Chairman, Citing Constitutional Violations
The North Central All Progressives Congress Forum announced on Tuesday that it plans to appeal the Federal High Court’s decision in Abuja, which dismissed its case aimed at removing Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the party’s National Chairman.
The forum had previously filed a suit against Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, seeking to nullify Ganduje’s appointment as national chairman.
Ganduje was appointed to the position in July 2023 following the resignation of the former chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, shortly after President Bola Tinubu took office. Adamu, hailing from Nasarawa State in the North-Central geopolitical zone, was succeeded by Ganduje, who is from Kano State in the North-West.
The appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress has triggered significant backlash from party chieftains in the North-Central zone, who are calling for the leadership position to remain within their region.
The North-Central APC previously filed a lawsuit against Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but their case was dismissed on Monday.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the forum lacked legal standing to bring the case, as it is not a recognized juristic entity.
Additionally, Justice Ekwo noted that the plaintiffs did not exhaust the internal mechanisms for resolving disputes before approaching the court. He emphasized that the appointment of All Progressives Congress (APC) officers by the National Executive Committee is an internal matter of the party, one that falls outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
Dissatisfied with the court’s ruling, the forum’s chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, announced plans to appeal the judgment, stating that their lawyer has already been instructed to proceed with the appeal.
Zazzaga explained to reporters in Jos, Plateau State, that one of the key issues they seek to clarify is the interpretation of the party’s amended 2022 constitution and its zoning arrangements, which he believes were not addressed in the initial case.
He stated, “We will pursue this matter to a legal and logical conclusion while continuing to engage with party chieftains and stakeholders from our region to advocate for our rights and benefits within the APC structure and administration.”
He emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning, “The sooner the President and the party recognize that Ganduje’s continued leadership is detrimental and could result in legal repercussions, the better.”
He further argued that the APC should not sacrifice the interests of the entire North Central region for Ganduje, insisting that the party must take appropriate action. The forum contends that Ganduje’s appointment violates the party’s amended 2022 constitution, which stipulates that chairmanship positions should be zoned to the North Central, not the North West where Ganduje is from.
The forum also argued that Ganduje’s appointment violated Article 13 of the APC Constitution, asserting that it did not adhere to the democratic processes outlined in the party’s laws.
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