Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to unseat Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
According to The PUNCH, the case was thrown out due to a lack of legal standing and the improper registration of the plaintiff.
The case, brought by the North Central APC Forum led by Saleh Zazzaga, challenged Ganduje’s appointment, arguing that it violated the APC Constitution, as Ganduje hails from Kano State in the North West, while his predecessor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, was from the North Central region.
The court upheld objections raised by both the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Justice Ekwo agreed with the second defendant’s argument that the claimant lacked the locus standi, or legal standing, to bring the case to court.
He also concurred with the third defendant’s argument that the plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum, is not a registered body with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and therefore lacks the legal capacity to sue.
“The onus rests on the claimant to present a certificate of registration from the Corporate Affairs Commission,” the judge stated, before adding that the group does not possess the required “juristic personality” to file the suit.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo noted, “The claimant has no locus standi to institute the suit, and I hereby make an order striking out the suit for lack of legal standing.”
He further ruled that the internal workings of political parties, including appointments by the National Executive Committee (NEC), are beyond the jurisdiction of the court. “The subject matter is an internal affair of the political party,” the judge declared.
The North Central APC Forum had argued that the party violated Article 31.5(1) of its Constitution by appointing Ganduje, claiming that it was a breach of the party’s zoning arrangement.
Despite the lawsuit, Ganduje continues to receive support from party members. In a show of solidarity, all 37 APC state chairmen passed a vote of confidence in his leadership during a visit to the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
