The struggle for constitutional compliance within the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party has taken a decisive turn as the APC North-Central Forum was recently at the centre of a court case against Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s national chairman. The decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed the Forum’s petition, has sparked reactions and raised the possibility of an appeal.
The case in question concerned Ganduje’s appointment as the APC national chairman, a decision that was challenged by the APC North-Central Forum. The latter cited alleged violations of the party’s constitution, particularly with regard to the 2022 amendment and zoning provisions that were allegedly breached with Ganduje’s appointment from the North-West region instead of the North-Central.
Despite the Forum’s arguments, the Court ruled that it lacked standing to bring the lawsuit, due to its lack of legal personality and legal registration. Furthermore, the Court stressed that the internal affairs of the APC, including the appointment of its leaders, fell within the exclusive jurisdiction of the party’s National Executive Committee and should not be subject to judicial interference.
However, Forum President Saleh Zazzaga immediately announced his intention to appeal the decision. According to him, the precise interpretation of the party’s constitution and zoning agreements remains a key issue that deserves to be examined on appeal. Zazzaga stressed the importance of respecting democratic principles and fairly representing the different regions within the APC.
Beyond the ongoing legal battle, the Forum remains committed to defending the interests of the North-Central region and ensuring that its members and supporters continue to support development and democratization efforts. This case raises critical questions about the internal governance of political parties and the importance of respecting democratic rules and principles in the decision-making process.
Ultimately, the ongoing case between the North-Central APC Forum and Abdullahi Ganduje highlights the tensions and issues within the APC, as well as the challenges faced by political parties in their quest for legitimacy and democratic governance. The way forward remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the debate over transparency and compliance with democratic rules will continue to mark Nigeria’s political landscape.
This compelling narrative highlights the complexities of politics and the challenges faced by political actors in a context of changing dynamics and power strugglesIt also illustrates the importance of the constitution and respect for democratic principles in the governance of political parties and in the promotion of a healthy and transparent political culture.