The North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has responded to Monday’s ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed their lawsuit aimed at removing Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the Party.
The Forum announced plans to appeal the judgment, stating that their lawyer has been instructed to file the appeal.
Previously, the Forum had sued Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that Ganduje’s appointment violated the Party’s amended constitution of 2022. They contended that the Chairmanship position should originate from the North Central region, not the North West, where Ganduje hails from.
The Forum also claimed that Ganduje’s appointment breached Article 13 of the APC Constitution, asserting that it was not executed through a democratic process as outlined in the Party’s regulations.
In his ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit, stating that the Forum is not a legally recognized entity and lacks the authority to file the suit. He noted that the Forum failed to utilize the internal mechanisms for resolving issues before resorting to the court, emphasizing that the appointment of officers by the APC’s National Executive Committee is an internal party matter that the courts cannot interfere with.
Chairman of the Forum, Saleh Zazzaga, stated, “We will appeal the judgment; our lawyer has already been instructed to file the appeal. One vital thing we seek from the court is the interpretation of the Party’s amended constitution and the zoning arrangement, but that wasn’t addressed.”
Zazzaga added that it is crucial for the President and the Party to recognize that Ganduje’s continued leadership could hinder the Party’s progress and result in legal liabilities. He expressed hope that the Party would not sacrifice the interests of the entire North Central region for Ganduje, urging for swift action on the matter.
He also thanked their members and supporters across the region, encouraging them to remain dedicated, hopeful, and prayerful as they strive for regional development and the essential democratic benefits.