Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a legal suit filed by the APC North Central Group seeking the removal of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The case was thrown out on multiple grounds, primarily focusing on the plaintiff’s lack of legal standing.

The APC North Central Group, led by Saleh Zazzaga, had filed the suit, arguing that Ganduje's appointment violated Article 13 of the APC Constitution. 

According to the group, the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) bypassed the democratic processes outlined in the constitution, and Ganduje's appointment was illegitimate as he hails from Kano State in the North West, while the role was supposed to be filled by someone from the North Central geo-political zone.

However, Justice Ekwo ruled that the APC North Central Group lacked the legal standing to file the suit because it is not a registered juristic entity under Nigerian law. 

Without this legal recognition, the group could not initiate a lawsuit. Additionally, the court held that the plaintiff failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the APC before taking the matter to court.

Furthermore, Justice Ekwo emphasized that the appointment of party officials, including the National Chairman, is an internal affair of the APC and does not fall within the court's jurisdiction. 

The court also dismissed the plaintiff’s claims that the NEC acted outside its powers, ruling that the matter did not constitute a valid legal grievance.

The court concluded that there was no valid cause of action, dismissing the case and reaffirming Ganduje’s position as the APC National Chairman. 

This ruling allows Ganduje to continue his leadership of the party without further legal hindrance, solidifying his role since his appointment in August 2023.