In a significant legal development, the Kano State High Court has issued an ex parte order restraining Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), from presenting himself as a member of the party. This order, granted by Justice Usman Malam Na’abba, also prohibits Ganduje from overseeing the affairs of the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The court’s decision stems from an ex parte motion filed by Dr. Ibrahim Sa’ad Esq, representing two executive members of the APC Ganduje ward in Dawakin-Tofa local government area. This motion followed Ganduje’s suspension by nine members of the Ganduje ward executive, including assistant secretary Laminu Sani and legal adviser Haladu Gwanjo.
Effective from April 15, 2024, the court order directs all parties involved to maintain the status quo ante until the substantive suit is heard and determined on April 30, 2024. Additionally, it prohibits the Kano State Working Committee of the APC from interfering with the decision made by the Ganduje ward executives.
The ruling further mandates that Ganduje refrain from portraying himself as a member of the APC or conducting any activities that may suggest his affiliation with the party pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
This legal saga follows Ganduje’s suspension over corruption allegations prompted by a petition from Ja’afaru Adamu, a member of the APC. Despite inaction from the ward chairman and secretary on the petition, the nine executives proceeded to suspend Ganduje, whose political challenges have heightened, notably with the loss of his Dawakin Tofa federal constituency in the 2023 general elections.