APC Leadership Crisis: Kano judge lifts order upholding Ganduje’s suspension

A high court in Kano State, on Monday, vacated its order which upheld the suspension of Abdullahi Ganduje as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

That was after the political supporters at the ward level had petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) to find out if the case was a proper instance for the judge to issue the order.  

Although NJC has not officially responded, the trial high court vacated the order and fixed April 30 for definite hearing of the substantive case on its merit.

BAR & BENCH WATCH reports that the entire case, now a subject of litigation, began last week when APC executives from Dawakin ward in Tofa LGA of Kano suspended Ganduje citing allegations of corruption.

However, the state’s APC working committee quickly intervened, nullifying the suspension and subsequently disciplined the ward executives responsible for the decision.

Amid these internal party conflicts, Judge Usman Na’Abba initially upheld the suspension, a stance that prompted Ganduje’s supporters at the ward level to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC) against him, citing potential biases and procedural irregularities.

They wrote in the petition, “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.

“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.”

However, on Monday, Na’Abba vacated his earlier verdict and set April 30 to hear the case.