The Federal High Court in Abuja, tensions reached a fever pitch as Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered a landmark ruling that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape. On Monday, September 23, 2024, the court dismissed a high-profile suit seeking to remove Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje from his position as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), dealing a significant blow to internal party challengers and affirming the party’s leadership structure.
The lawsuit, brought forth by the APC North Central Group, faced a series of legal hurdles that ultimately led to its dismissal. Justice Ekwo, in his ruling, meticulously outlined the reasons for rejecting the case, highlighting fundamental issues with the plaintiffs’ standing and the court’s jurisdiction over internal party matters.
Firstly, the judge pointed out a critical flaw in the case’s foundation. “The APC North Central Group is not a juristic person and not registered in law,” Justice Ekwo stated. Therefore, it has no legal power and capacity to file this suit.” This pronouncement effectively undermined the group’s ability to bring the case before the court in the first place.
Furthermore, the court took issue with the plaintiffs’ approach to resolving their grievances. Justice Ekwo emphasized the importance of exhausting internal party mechanisms before seeking judicial intervention. The plaintiff failed to explore the internal mechanism for peaceful resolution of issues before rushing to the court,” he remarked, highlighting a common expectation in political party disputes.
This point resonated with legal experts present in the courtroom. Barrister Chidi Okafor, a prominent political analyst, commented on the ruling: “The judge’s emphasis on internal conflict resolution mechanisms is crucial. Political parties are expected to have robust systems for addressing disputes. Bypassing these channels can be seen as undermining the party’s autonomy.”
In perhaps the most significant aspect of the ruling, Justice Ekwo reinforced the principle of party autonomy in internal affairs. He declared that “the appointment of officers for APC by its National Executive Committee is an internal affair of the party which no court can dabble into.”
This statement drew mixed reactions from observers. APC supporters in the courtroom visibly relaxed, while members of the North Central group appeared crestfallen. Saleh Zazzaga, the leader of the North Central APC Forum and primary plaintiff in the case, expressed his disappointment outside the courthouse:
“We believe that the appointment of Dr. Ganduje breached Article 13 of our party’s constitution. It wasn’t done through the democratic process enshrined in our laws. We’re reviewing the judgment and considering our next steps.”
At the heart of the lawsuit was a dispute over regional representation within the APC’s leadership. The North Central APC Forum argued that it was their zone’s turn to fill the position of National Chairman, claiming that Ganduje’s appointment from another region violated an unwritten agreement on power rotation within the party.
The plaintiffs had sought several reliefs from the court, including an order restraining Ganduje from continuing to act as the APC Chairman and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard actions taken by the APC under Ganduje’s leadership since his appointment on August 3, 2023.
Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, speaking to reporters after the ruling, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, “This judgment reaffirms the democratic principles that govern our great party. We can now focus fully on the important task of leading the APC and serving the Nigerian people.”
The court’s decision has far-reaching implications for the APC and Nigeria’s political landscape at large. With Ganduje’s position now legally secure, attention turns to how the party will address the underlying tensions that led to the lawsuit.
Professor Aisha Umar, a political scientist at the University of Abuja, offered her analysis: “This ruling effectively closes one avenue of challenge to Ganduje’s leadership, but it doesn’t resolve the underlying issues of regional representation and power-sharing within the party. The APC leadership now faces the task of healing these internal divisions to present a united front ahead of future electoral challenges.”
The APC’s national spokesperson, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, issued a statement calling for unity: “We respect the court’s decision and call on all party members to come together. Our strength lies in our diversity and our ability to work together for the good of Nigeria.”
As the dust settles on this legal battle, the APC finds itself at a crossroads. The dismissal of the lawsuit against Ganduje’s chairmanship has reaffirmed his position, but it also highlights the deep-seated regional tensions within the party. How the APC leadership navigates these internal challenges in the coming months will be crucial for the party’s cohesion and its prospects in future elections.
The court’s emphasis on party autonomy and internal conflict resolution mechanisms serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between judicial oversight and political self-governance in Nigeria’s evolving democracy. As the APC moves forward under Ganduje’s continued leadership, all eyes will be on how the party addresses the concerns raised by the North Central group and works towards fostering unity among its diverse membership.
In the end, this legal saga underscores the complex interplay of law, politics, and regional dynamics that shape Nigeria’s political landscape. As the country continues its democratic journey, such challenges and their resolutions will undoubtedly play a crucial role in defining the future of its political institutions.
