Submitting a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking a review of a court order issued by Justice Usman Na’abba of Kano State High Court against the party’s national chairman, Abdulahi Ganduje.
The order directed Ganduje to cease portraying himself as the chairman, a move contested by the APC.
Signed by the Chairman of Ganduje’s ward, Mahmud Ganduje, and 26 others, the petition dated April 17 urges the NJC to assess the adherence to judicial guidelines and the constitution in the context of non-interference in political party matters.
In the petition, the Executive Committee members of Ganduje Ward, Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, express their concern over what they perceive as judicial overreach by Justice Na‘abba in suspending Ganduje from the APC and hindering his role as the National Chairman.
Questioning the necessity of judicial involvement in internal party affairs without compelling reasons, the petition raises concerns about the impartiality and extent of judicial intervention in political party governance.
The petition calls for the NJC to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances leading to Justice Na’abba’s orders against Ganduje and the APC, evaluate compliance with judicial guidelines and the Nigerian Constitution regarding non-interference in party affairs, and consider disciplinary actions if it is found that the judge overstepped his jurisdiction or displayed unbecoming conduct.
This initiative aims to preserve judicial integrity and prevent premature judicial intervention that may unduly infringe upon political party rights.