The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday refused to remove Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the ruling, dismissing a suit brought against Ganduje by the Northern APC Forum, stating it lacked merit. The court found no evidence to show that the plaintiff was a legal entity capable of initiating the action.

The ruling emphasized that there was insufficient proof of the plaintiff’s proper registration in accordance with legal requirements. Additionally, the court noted that the group had not exhausted the internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the party before bringing the matter to court.

Justice Ekwo stated that the appointment of APC officers by the National Executive Committee (NEC) is an internal party matter that the court cannot interfere with. The court concluded that there was no cause of action against the defendants and therefore dismissed the suit.

The plaintiff had sought to nullify Ganduje’s appointment, claiming it violated the APC Constitution. Specifically, the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, argued that Ganduje’s appointment breached Article 13 of the APC Constitution, as he was not from the North Central zone, which was due to occupy the position.

The plaintiff also requested the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize any actions taken by the APC under Ganduje’s leadership, including congresses, primaries, and nominations made since August 3, 2023.

The litigant contended that Ganduje’s appointment was illegal, arguing that the NEC violated the party’s constitution by appointing someone from Kano State in the North West instead of adhering to the rotation principle within the North Central zone.

Ganduje and the APC were the main defendants in the case, with INEC also named as the third defendant in the suit, which was ultimately dismissed by the court.