A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the judgment, citing the plaintiff’s lack of standing. The North Central APC Forum, led by Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, was found not to be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and therefore lacked legal recognition.

The forum had challenged Ganduje’s appointment, arguing it violated the APC’s constitution since he hails from the North West geo-political zone, not the North Central zone.

Justice Ekwo ruled that the APC’s national chairman can only be appointed or removed through a national convention.

Despite the ruling, the forum’s lawyer, Ayuba Abdul, and leader, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, have pledged to appeal the decision.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024 named Ganduje, APC, and INEC as defendants. The plaintiffs sought to restrain Ganduje from parading himself as chairman and requested INEC not to recognize actions taken by the APC under his leadership.