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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The executives of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ganduje ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, have written a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against a state high court judge, Usman Na’Abba.
The petition was written to the NJC to complain about an ex parte order granted by the judge in the purported suspension of Dr Abdullahii Ganduje as APC National Chairman.
Na’Abba had upheld the suspension of Ganduje following an ex parte motion filed by one Ibrahim Sa’ad, on behalf of executive members of the APC in Ganduje ward.
On April 15, APC executives in Ganduje ward of Dawakin Tofa Loca Government Area of Kano State had suspended Ganduje over alleged corruption.
However, the State Working Committee of the APC in Kano State nullified the suspension and suspended the ward executives for six months.
The petition dated April 17 and signed by the APC ward chairman, Ahmad Ganduje, on behalf of the 26 executive members said the ex parte order was without due process.
In the petition addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairman of NJC Olukayode Ariwoola, the ward executives said the alleged suspension was invalid and of no effect whatsoever “having been issued by persons who impersonated members of our ward executive committee and we wish to reiterate that these persons are non-card-carrying members of our party.”
“The issuance of an ex parte order in a politically sensitive matter involving the leadership of a political party without ensuring that all internal remedies have been exhausted raises concerns about the proper judicial process.
“The decision to intervene in internal party affairs without clear and compelling reasons to circumvent the party’s own mechanisms appears to be constitutional overreach.
“This action sets a concerning precedent regarding the impartiality and scope of judicial intervention in political party governance,” the petition said.
The executives subsequently asked the NJC to conduct a thorough review of the order.
“Evaluate the adherence to judicial guidelines and the Nigerian constitution in the context of non-interference in political party affairs.
“Assess potential disciplinary measures if it is found that Hon. Justice Usman Mallam Na’Abba acted beyond his jurisdiction or displayed conduct unbecoming of a judicial officer,” it said.
They added that the petition is submitted in the interest of upholding the integrity of the judiciary.