According to news published by Vanguard, the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled the hearing of a suit challenging the appointment of Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for July 5. This case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, has been brought forward by members of the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga.
The plaintiffs argue that Ganduje's appointment violates the APC constitution. They claim that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC breached party rules by appointing Ganduje, who is from Kano State in the North West geopolitical zone, to replace Senator Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geopolitical zone.
According to the plaintiffs, the APC constitution stipulates that a vacancy should be filled by a member from the same zone as the predecessor. Therefore, they contend that the position should have been filled by someone from Nasarawa State. The plaintiffs are also calling for the court to restrain Ganduje from continuing to act as the APC chairman and to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize any actions taken by the APC under Ganduje's leadership since his appointment on August 3, 2023.
The plaintiffs’ argument is based on Article 31.5(1) of the APC constitution, which they interpret as requiring the replacement of an officer to follow specific procedures, including being from the same geopolitical zone. They also assert that the NEC lacks the power to appoint the national chairman without a democratic election, as stipulated by Article 20(1) of the APC constitution.
The case was initially set for hearing, but the court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, adjourned it to allow the plaintiffs to respond to a counter-affidavit filed by Ganduje. During the session, the plaintiffs' counsel, Mr. Benjamin Davou, requested more time to address the new process served by Ganduje's lawyer. This request was not opposed by the defense counsel, Mr. Raymond Asikeni, SAN.
Justice Ekwo granted the adjournment and set the new hearing date for July 5. Besides Ganduje, the APC and INEC are also listed as defendants in the suit.