The ruling All Progressives Congress asserts that it will not adhere to the court order that restrains Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the party, from identifying as a member, citing fraudulent acquisition of the order.
This announcement follows the issuance of an ex parte order by a Kano State High Court recently.
The court specifically instructed Ganduje to cease presiding over the National Working Committee’s activities.
Justice Usman Na’abba granted the application following a motion brought by Dr. Ibrahim Sa’ad on behalf of two executive members from Ganduje’s ward in Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area. The Assistant Secretary, Laminu Sani, and Legal Adviser, Haladu Gwanjo were part of the ward executives who suspended Ganduje earlier.
The court instructed all respondents, including APC, NWC, APC Kano State Working Committee, and Ganduje, to maintain the status quo ante belum until April 15, 2024, pending the substantive suit’s hearing scheduled for April 30, 2024.
The APC’s NWC strongly opposed the ex parte order, stating that they will not acknowledge or follow it due to its perceived unlawfulness.
Prof Abdulkareem Kana, the National Legal Adviser of the APC, addressed the press after a meeting between Ganduje and Kano ward executive members. He expressed their belief that the order was improperly granted by a judge who failed to provide the party with a court summons.
Kana remarked, “The ward and local government officials visited the party chairman today, the same individuals who should be part of any discussions regarding the supposed suspension.
“We have lodged a complaint with the police and also submitted copies to the IGP, urging an investigation into those responsible, especially as key stakeholders have disavowed the action.
“Our initial findings suggest fraudulent activities akin to a scam. We were made aware of the ex parte order this afternoon but have not seen the actual court order allegedly obtained through fraudulent means. Any directive from such a dubious document will be considered illegitimate.
“An order secured through deceit is illegal. We have no intention to acknowledge, adhere to, or respect it. The perpetrators are not affiliated with the APC; they are unknown to us. This stance remains steadfast. Alongside the police complaint, the Ganduje Ward executive will lodge a petition with the National Judicial Council against the judge who issued the order.”