The North Central Progressives Congress (APC) Forum announced plans to appeal a recent Federal High Court ruling that dismissed their case against Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the party. The ruling was made on Monday in Abuja.
The North Central APC Forum had filed a lawsuit against Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They argued that Ganduje’s appointment violated the party’s constitution and the zoning arrangement that designates leadership roles to the North Central region, not the North West, from which Ganduje hails.
The forum also claimed that Ganduje’s appointment did not follow the democratic process outlined in Article 13 of the APC Constitution.
In his judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo stated that the North Central APC Forum is not a legally recognized entity, which means it cannot bring the case to court. He also noted that the forum did not attempt to resolve the issue internally before resorting to legal action. The judge emphasized that the appointment of party officials is an internal matter that the courts should not interfere with.
Following the ruling, Saleh Zazzaga, the Chairman of the North Central APC Forum, stated that they will proceed with an appeal. He mentioned that their lawyer has been instructed to file the necessary paperwork.
Zazzaga explained to reporters in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, that they are seeking a legal interpretation of the APC’s amended 2022 constitution and the zoning arrangement, which they feel was overlooked in the court’s decision. He affirmed their commitment to pursuing this issue through the legal system while also working with party leaders from the region to protect their rights and interests within the APC.
He expressed concern about individuals in the region who are undermining their efforts for personal gain, vowing to identify and address these betrayals.
Zazzaga also referenced President Bola Tinubu’s reported suggestion that Ganduje be appointed as an ambassador, noting that Ganduje had rejected this idea, claiming confidence in winning his court cases. Zazzaga raised concerns about Ganduje’s legal troubles, including a corruption trial involving substantial sums of money.
He urged the party leadership to recognize that Ganduje’s continued chairmanship could harm the party and create legal issues. Zazzaga concluded by stating that the North Central region’s interests should not be compromised for Ganduje’s position, calling for swift action to rectify the situation.
