In a legal saga unfolding in Kano State, the purported suspension of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Ganduje, has sparked a courtroom showdown. The Kano State High Court, under the auspices of Justice Usman Na’Abba, has set May 27 as the date to address preliminary objections, jurisdictional matters, and applications for joinder.
The controversy stemmed from Ganduje’s suspension by the APC executive in Dawakin ward, Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, on April 15, 2024. Initially upheld by the court on April 16, 2024, the suspension order was subsequently vacated. However, Ganduje secured an ex parte order from Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano, blocking the implementation of his suspension pending further legal proceedings.
During the recent court hearing, applicants represented by their counsel, Ibrahim Sa’ad, sought an interim injunction on Ganduje’s suspension, citing a motion ex parte with a 13-paragraph affidavit. The respondents, including the APC, National Working Committee, APC Kano State Working Committee, and Ganduje, were present to challenge the application.
Counsel for the respondents, M. M. Duru, revealed they had filed a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Lydia Oyewo, representing Ganduje, raised concerns about not being served with court processes, alleging contempt of court by the plaintiff for failing to comply with previous directives.
Furthermore, parties seeking to be joined in the suit, led by counsel S.U. Jibril, expressed their intent to participate in the proceedings.
In response, Justice Na’Abba scheduled May 27 for both parties to serve their processes and address the pending applications, marking another chapter in the legal battle surrounding Ganduje’s suspension.
