A high court in Kano state has set aside a previous ruling that affirmed the suspension of Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a member of the party.
Last week, APC executives in Dawakin ward in Tofa LGA of Kano suspended Ganduje over alleged corruption. Despite the state working committee of the APC in Kano nullifying the suspension and penalizing the ward executives, Judge Usman Na’Abba upheld it. This led the party executives at the ward level to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) against the decision of the judge.
“The decision to intervene in internal party affairs without clear and compelling reasons to circumvent the party’s own mechanisms appears to constitute constitutional overreach,” they stated in the petition.
“This action sets a concerning precedent regarding the impartiality and scope of judicial intervention in political party governance. The issuance of an ex parte order in a politically sensitive matter involving the leadership of a political party without ensuring that all internal remedies have been exhausted raises concerns about the proper judicial process.”
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However, on Monday, Na’Abba reversed his previous ruling and scheduled April 30 to hear the case. This development brings a twist to the ongoing saga within the Kano APC. Ganduje’s suspension, followed by its nullification and subsequent reinstatement, highlights the internal conflicts within the party.
Reacting to the court’s decision, a spokesperson for Ganduje stated, “We are pleased with the court’s decision to vacate the earlier order suspending our chairman. It reaffirms our belief in the judiciary’s commitment to justice.”
Meanwhile, a representative of the ward executives expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision to revisit the case. They stated, “We welcome the court’s decision to hear our case on April 30. It gives us hope for a fair resolution to this matter.”
The vacating of the earlier order by Judge Na’Abba signifies a key moment in the ongoing dispute. It signals a potential shift in the dynamics of the Kano APC leadership. As the April 30 hearing approaches, stakeholders within the party eagerly await the court’s final verdict on the matter.