The National Coalition Against Terrorism, has reacted to a Federal High Court order in Kano State, which reversed the suspension of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
OsunDailyNG reports that the ruling came on Wednesday after Ganduje filed an ex parte motion seeking to enforce his fundamental right to fair hearing.
Reacting, the coalition, through its president, Terrence Kuanum, while addressing a press conference on Thursday, described the order as a welcome development.
Kuanum said the group was worried that “non-APC members” could boldly announce the suspension of a party chairman without due process.
He said, “In recent days, the media has been inundated with news regarding the suspension of the APC National Chairman, H.E Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON, by his Ganduje ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government of Kano State, as declared by the Ward Legal Adviser of the APC along with several ward executive members.
“As soon as the news aired, all twenty-seven (27) ward executive members of Ganduje ward, including the aforementioned legal adviser, repudiated the purported suspension of the National Chairman. They asserted that those who convened and executed the suspension of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are neither members nor executives of the party.
“The most concerning development is the restraining order issued by Justice Usman Mallam Na’abba of the Kano State High Court to individuals not affiliated with the APC who suspended the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. This prompts speculation about whether the judiciary is being dragged into the murky waters of politics, thus jeopardizing the citizens’ last bastion of hope.
“However, today, faith in the Nigerian Judiciary is reaffirmed with an order in response to an application for the enforcement of fundamental rights, ensuring fair hearings. This order was granted by Hon. Justice A. M. Lima of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Kano Judicial Division. It mandates that all respondents, their servants, agents, or privies are restrained from implementing or giving effect to the decision purportedly made during the emergency meeting of alleged executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, held at Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State on April 15th, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application for the enforcement of fundamental rights.
“With this order, the faith of Nigerians, and indeed the world, is restored in the judiciary. We commend the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, for upholding the integrity of the Nigerian judicial system.”
