Only NWC can suspend Ganduje, APC insists as forum wants ex- gov sacked

ALL Progressives Congress ( APC) National Legal Adviser, Abdulkarim Kana, yesterday, stated that it is only the party’s National Working Committee ( NWC) that has the power to suspend Dr, Abdullahi Ganduje as National chairman.

Kana addressed the issue on alive programme while responding to the Kano State exgovernor’s recent suspension by factions within his ward.

The groups had suspended him based on alleged corruption during his time as governor, a decision also faulted by the Kano chapter, leading to the disciplining of the ward executives.

The Federal High Court in Kano equally issued a temporary order stopping implementation of the suspension until a final decision is made. Similarly, a Kano State High Court judge reversed an earlier order that suspended Ganduje.

Kana’s explanation came on the heels of a fresh suit initiated by the North Central APC Forum against Ganduje’s continued state in office.

It contended that his chairmanship of the ruling party imposes legal and other unwarranted liabilities on the entire political group, including the Edo and Ondo governorship primaries conducted under him.

The forum’s counsel, Ayuba Abdul, spoke after filing a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja challenging Ganduje’s appointment to replace Abdullahi Adamu in 2023.

In the fresh case, Ganduje, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) have been listed first, second and third defendants. The group insisted Ganduje’s occupation of the seat is illegal.

The case, which is seeking to set aside Ganduje’s appointment, alleged that there is a failure on the part of the APC to comply with the procedure laid down by the party’s constitution.

It added that the position ought to remain in the North Central region, adding that parts of the forum’s prayers are: “A declaration that by virtue of Article 7 ( ix) and ( x) of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, 2013 ( as amended), the 2nd defendant is bound to promote and uphold the practice of internal democracy at all levels of the party organisation and institutionalise, maintain and foster representative democracy, discipline and strict observance of the rule of law in the Federation of Nigeria.”