Ganduje’s Suspension Causes Confusion In Kano Due To Conflicting Court Orders

Confusion reigned supreme in Kano’s political landscape as a Kano High Court and a Federal High Court, both sitting in Kano, issued conflicting court orders regarding the suspension of the All Progressive Congress (APC)’s Acting National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, from the party.

Recall that the All Progressive Congress (APC) Executive Committee in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, suspended Ganduje as an APC member on Monday.

On Wednesday, the Kano High Court issued an exparte order prohibiting Ganduje from representing himself as a member of the party.

The court then ordered Ganduje to stop presiding over all affairs of the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The application was granted by Justice Usman Malam Na’abba in response to an exparte motion filed by Dr. Ibrahim Sa’ad Esq on behalf of two executive members of the APC Ganduje Ward, Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area, the assistant secretary, Laminu Sani, and legal adviser Haladu Gwanjo (plaintiffs), who were part of the nine-member ward executive who suspended Ganduje due to corruption allegations.

The court ordered the four parties (respondents) involved in the case, which include the All Progressives Congress (APC), the APC National Working Committee (NWC), the APC Kano State Working Committee (KSWC), and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to maintain the status quo ante belum beginning April 15, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit on April 30, 2024.

Justice Na’abba also ruled, as prayed, that the State Working Committee APC Kano could not interfere with the legally and validly considered decision of Ganduje ward executives, which was essentially based on action endorsed by a two-thirds majority of the executives, as required by the party constitution.

“An order is hereby granted directing all parties in the suit, APC (1st), APC National Working Committee (2nd), Kano State Working Committee APC (3rd), and Dr. Abdullah Umar Ganduje (4th), to maintain the status quo ante belum as of April 15th, 2024.”

” The order thus prohibits the 1st respondent (APC) from recognising the 4th respondent (Ganduje) as an APC member, prohibits the 4th respondent (Ganduje) from presiding over any NWC affairs, and prohibits the state Working Committee from interfering with the legally and validly decision of the Ganduje ward executives.

“That the 4th respondent (Ganduje) is prohibited from presenting himself as a member of the APC or performing any act that may portray him or make him appear to be a member of the APC pending the hearing and resolution of the substantive suit.”

It should be noted that nine Ganduje ward members proclaimed the suspension of the APC’s National Chairman in response to the Kano state government’s corruption allegations against him.

The nine APC executives stated that they were prompted to act by a petition signed by one Ja’afaru Adamu, an APC member from the National Chairman’s polling unit.

In the petition, Adamu complained about allegations of corruption against the former Governor while also urging ward leaders to investigate the matter in order to restore the party’s tarnished image and the implications for President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption campaign.

However, in an unusual turn of events, another order from a Federal High Court sitting in Kano surfaced on Thursday, dismissing Ganduje’s suspension by party leaders in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, Kano, despite the fact that the order was said to have been issued on Wednesday.

The application’s respondents include the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and nine other individuals.

The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice A.M Liman, allegedly issued an ex parte order on Wednesday stating that Ganduje’s suspension should not be implemented until the case is heard and decided.

Justice Liman issued an order prohibiting the Respondents, their servants, agents, or privies from carrying out the decision made during the alleged emergency meeting of APC Ganduje Ward Executive members held in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local.

“That all parties are hereby mandated to maintain the status quo prior to the alleged emergency meeting of APC Ganduje Ward’s executive members, and to stay action in this matter pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.”

However, this development has caused significant confusion and apprehension in Kano’s political landscape, with pundits questioning why two courts with competent jurisdictions should issue conflicting orders on the same day.

Political actors also question why the order from Justice Liman’s Federal High Court, which was allegedly issued on Wednesday, should be kept secret for 24 hours before being made public.

Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu, a political analyst, believes that Justice Liman’s order has the potential to tarnish the judiciary’s image, claiming that the order by the Federal High Court was issued under duress rather than in accordance with normal legal rules.

According to him, “the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary is under attack as a result of Justice Liman’s conflicting and dubious order.” We should not forget, in haste, Justice Tanko’s warning to Judges about this type of situation during a case involving Nyesom Wike and former PDP National Chairman Mr. Secondus.

“We only hope that the judiciary will examine this case critically and prevent itself from being destroyed by some judges who chose to destroy the judiciary’s image for selfish gain.”