Kano Court Upholds Ganduje’s Suspension

In a significant legal development, the Kano State High Court has issued an ex parte order prohibiting Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), from representing himself as a party member. The court’s decision, handed down by Justice Usman Na’abba on Tuesday, also mandates Ganduje to refrain from overseeing any activities of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.

This judicial action stems from an ex parte motion filed by Dr. Ibrahim Sa’ad on behalf of two executive members of Ganduje’s ward, Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area. The motion was presented by the Assistant Secretary, Laminu Sani, and Legal Adviser, Haladu Gwanjo, who were among the nine ward executives who suspended Ganduje the previous day.

Justice Na’abba’s ruling directs all concerned parties, including the APC, NWC, APC Kano State Working Committee, and Ganduje, to maintain the status quo ante belum as of April 15, 2024. Additionally, the court ordered the APC Kano State Working Committee to refrain from intervening in the decision taken by Ganduje’s ward executives, which was made by the party’s constitution.

The ex parte order explicitly states, “An order is hereby granted directing all parties…to maintain status quo ante belum as of April 15, 2024.” It prohibits the recognition of Ganduje as an APC member and bars him from conducting any NWC affairs. Furthermore, Ganduje is forbidden from identifying as an APC member or engaging in activities suggesting his affiliation with the party until the substantive suit is heard and determined.

The suspension of Ganduje by nine members of his ward’s executive committee came after allegations of corruption were leveled against him by the Kano State Government. This action was spurred by a petition from Ja’afaru Adamu, an APC member from Ganduje’s polling unit, urging the ward leaders to investigate corruption charges against the former governor. Despite initial inaction from the ward’s chairman and secretary, nine executive members, led by the legal adviser, took decisive action based on the petition, resulting in Ganduje’s suspension.