The North Central Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has announced its intention to appeal a ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja that dismissed their suit seeking the removal of Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the party.
The North Central APC Forum had previously dragged Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court, requesting the nullification of Ganduje’s appointment as National Chairman. They argued that the appointment violated the party’s 2022 constitution, as amended, and the zoning arrangement, which designates the Chairmanship position to the North Central region rather than the North West, from which Ganduje hails.
Additionally, the forum claimed that Ganduje’s appointment breached Article 13 of the APC Constitution, as it was not carried out through the democratic process outlined in the party’s rules.
In his judgment on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit on several grounds. He stated that the APC North Central Forum is not a juristic entity and lacks legal standing to file the suit. Furthermore, Justice Ekwo noted that the plaintiffs failed to utilize the internal mechanisms for peaceful resolution of issues before approaching the court. He asserted that the appointment of officers by the APC’s National Executive Committee is an internal affair, outside the jurisdiction of the court.
Reacting to the judgment, Saleh Zazzaga, Chairman of the North Central APC Forum, confirmed that they would appeal the decision, emphasizing that their legal team has already been instructed to proceed with the appeal.
Zazzaga expressed that they were not surprised by the court’s ruling, citing Ganduje’s influence and alleged relationships within the judiciary as factors. He told reporters in Jos, the Plateau State capital, that they seek a judicial interpretation of the party’s 2022 constitution and zoning arrangements, which the court failed to provide.
“We will pursue our cause to a legal and logical conclusion while continuing our strategy with party chieftains and stakeholders from the region to advocate for our rights, privileges, and benefits within the APC structure and administration,” he stated.
He pointed out that some individuals from the region have betrayed their cause for personal gain, and he vowed to address these betrayals and inform the public of those individuals.
“When President Bola Tinubu reportedly considered Ganduje for an ambassadorial appointment in any African country, Ganduje rejected the idea and boasted about winning his court cases. This implies he has some influence over the judiciary; otherwise, why would he boast about winning such cases? But that won’t deter us,” Zazzaga asserted.
He highlighted the ongoing corruption trial involving Ganduje, his wife, son, and other accomplices, linked to over ₦50 billion. He urged party leadership to recognize that Ganduje’s continued tenure could harm the party and incur legal liabilities.
“The sooner the president and the party understand that Ganduje’s presence is a setback for us, the better,” he added. “We believe the party will not want to sacrifice the entire North Central region for Ganduje, so the necessary actions should be taken swiftly.”
Zazzaga thanked their members and supporters across the region, urging them to remain dedicated, hopeful, and prayerful as they pursue the developmental goals of the region and seek necessary democratic dividends. He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its governance and quality leadership, as well as economic reforms aimed at benefiting the country in the long term.
He also expressed gratitude to the people of Edo State for voting for the APC in the recent governorship election, attributing the outcome to the confidence the electorate has in President Tinubu, the party leader.
