Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The case, filed by the APC North Central Group, was thrown out on multiple grounds.

Justice Ekwo ruled that the group lacked legal standing, as it was not a recognized entity under the law and, therefore, had no authority to initiate such a suit.

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Additionally, the judge stated that the plaintiffs failed to follow the APC’s internal processes for resolving disputes before taking the matter to court.

He further emphasized that the selection of party officers by the APC’s National Executive Committee is an internal matter, beyond the court’s intervention.

The APC North Central Group had taken Ganduje, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court, seeking to nullify Ganduje’s appointment.

The group argued that his appointment violated Article 13 of the APC Constitution, as it was not done through the proper democratic process.

They also contended that the position of national chairman should have been filled by someone from the North Central zone, in line with party rules.

Led by Saleh Zazzaga, the plaintiffs requested the court to stop Ganduje from continuing in his role as APC chairman and to order INEC not to recognize any actions taken by the party since his appointment on August 3, 2023, including congresses, primaries, and nominations.

Justice Ekwo ultimately dismissed the suit, reaffirming the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the party’s governor-elect in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, following “this prized, historic electoral victory”.

HHe expressed optimism that both leaders of the incoming administration and the party that lost would work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of the state’s development.

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He asserted thus, “Congratulations to the APC and the election winner, Senator Monday Okpebholo on the historic electoral victory and my warmest wishes for a new lease of life for Edo State and its people.

“I very much hope the winners and the losers would work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of development in the state.

“I commend law enforcement agencies for the efforts that they put in ensuring a peaceful election and the multitude of election officials who strive to improve their act with each election.

“I pray that the Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country, will continue to achieve remarkable progress under democracy.”

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Finitri has decried the conduct and outcome of the Edo State gubernatorial election over the weekend.

He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Sunday to lament how politically exposed persons blatantly indulged in the rape of democracy in Nigeria.

ALSO READ: #EdoDecides: APC Candidate Monday Okpebholo Casts Vote

Gov Finitri wrote, “I weep for Nigeria’s democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo Gubernatorial poll. The @OfficialAPCNg’s desperate attempts to discredit me by falsely claiming I announced results won’t distract from the real issue. I merely shared results from INEC’s Irev portal, as collated by INEC from the various Local Government Areas.

“What’s truly shameful is APC’s national chairman flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their Governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters.

“This blatant disregard for democratic norms is the real brigandage. Nigerians are outraged, slamming @inecnigeria for compromising and favouring APC. The reported vote-buying, disruption of collation processes, and suspicious results with more votes than accredited voters undermine trust in our democracy.

“Democracy indeed is under attack. We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better.”