High Court Postpones Ganduje’s Judgement, says Verdict not Ready for Delivery

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has postponed its judgment in the case seeking the removal of Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to September 23.

The court stated this on Wednesday, September 18,  after they determined that the judgment was not yet ready for delivery.

The judgement which was Originally slated for September 18, did not appear on the list, causing confusion about the delay. A court source said the registrar informed the parties about the new date. This postponement shows the court’s commitment to carefully considering everything before making a decision.

Justice Inyang Ekwo had previously established September 18 as the date for the judgment after hearing arguments from both sides in the case. Counsel for the plaintiff, Benjamin Davou, and the defense team presented their respective positions, laying the groundwork for the court’s deliberations.

The lawsuit was brought forth by the North Central APC Forum, represented by Saleh Zazzaga, who challenges Ganduje’s appointment on the grounds that he hails from the North-West, not the North-Central region as the party’s constitution requires. This geographical contention forms the crux of the plaintiff’s argument against Ganduje’s continued leadership.

Marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, the case lists Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the primary defendants. The plaintiff seeks a court order to prevent Ganduje from presenting himself as the APC chairman and to halt any actions taken by the party during his tenure.

Additionally, the plaintiffs argue that Ganduje’s appointment is illegal and violates the APC’s constitutional provisions. They assert that the National Executive Committee (NEC) overstepped its authority by appointing Ganduje, thus breaching the party’s established rules.

The implications of this lawsuit could reach beyond Ganduje’s position, potentially affecting the recognition of party activities conducted under his leadership.

The court’s upcoming decision is expected to have significant consequences for the APC’s internal management and electoral processes.