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.”

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) blamed the party’s crisis on Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagum and the contentious issue surrounding the position of National Secretary on Thursday.

Adulphus Wabara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, accused them of sowing discord in the party during his opening address.

Wabara recalled the events that led to the removal of the party’s former Chairman, Sen. Iyorcha Ayu, noting that Damagum had been in office for more than a year, whereas as is customary in the party, the region from which the national officer hails should have produced a viable candidate to complete the former national officer’s tenure.

“Furthermore, the contentious issue surrounding the National Secretary’s position has unfortunately sown seeds of discord within our party.

“The ambiguity surrounding this position has led to confusion and internal strife, impeding our collective efforts to achieve our lofty goals.”

Wabara, who stated that the PDP’s solution is in the party constitution, stated, “The solutions to these two challenges are clearly imbibed in our party’s constitution, but deliberate litigations have made the application of these constitutional solutions impossible.”

Details later…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has praised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for maintaining peace in the state.

Governor Makinde made this statement on Monday when he met with Major-General Obinna Onubogu, 46th General Officer Commanding of the 2 Mechanised Division, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat.

The governor, who used the occasion to shed light on the suspected Yoruba Nation agitators’ invasion of the Government Secretariat last Saturday, described how the state’s effective security system quickly brought the aggressors to their knees.

Makinde praised the state’s security agencies for their roles in stopping and apprehending the invaders, stating that the emergency security response system was activated and worked flawlessly to contain the situation on time.

He thanked the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their quick response in apprehending the agitators, noting that, while there were security gaps, what the miscreants encountered was beyond their expectations.

“During what happened on Saturday, the Emergency Security Response was activated, and it worked. The response was quick and timely, and I believe the hoodlums and miscreants encountered something beyond their expectations. Within an hour, everything had been brought under control.

“Let me take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you and the other security agencies in the state. Everyone responded on time, and we appreciate it.

“In response to the unfortunate incident, I can only say that we must win both the war and the peace. It is a challenging time.

“Anyone in a position of authority in this country, whether military, political, or governmental, as well as people leading in our communities, is being challenged at this time because, as a leader, if the people you are leading are hungry and angry, we must work together to reduce some of the causative agents of this type of situation.”

The governor urged the new GOC to maintain the positive relationship between the 2 Mechanised Division and the government, as well as between the Division and the state’s people.

He also stated that his administration would spare no expense in securing the state and would continue to do everything possible to secure Oyo State by collaborating effectively with the Army and other security agencies in the state.

According to the governor, his vision for the state’s development through the four pillars of education, health, security, and economic expansion through agribusiness, tourism, and solid mineral development cannot be realised in an insecure environment.

“The relationship between the government, the people of Oyo State, and the Division has resulted in a relatively stable Oyo State. Please, do not give up.”

He went on to say, “We must consider not only how to respond kinetically to the situation in which we find ourselves, but also what we must do to achieve peace.

“So, I welcome you to your state, and I will meet with you on a working level so that we can see all of the gaps, investigate a few of the recommendations we have, and implement them.”

Speaking earlier, Major-General Onubogu stated that the warm reception he received demonstrated the cordial relationship that has always existed between the Oyo State government and the Nigerian army.

Onubogu thanked Governor Makinde for his years of support for the Division and assured the government and residents of the state that the Army would continue to work with sister security agencies to protect Oyo State and its people.

He stated, “We are indeed in a period of security challenges, and I want to commiserate with you and the good people of Oyo State regarding the invasion of the Secretariat by some self-proclaimed irredentists on April 13, 2024.

“This incident is unfortunate because it demonstrates that despite the peace that exists in Oyo State, there are still sons and daughters of South-West Nigeria who are determined to challenge Oyo State, the entire South-West, and Nigeria as a whole.

“I have taken note of some of the gaps that preceded this incident, and I want to assure you that under my leadership, we will do our part to ensure that such a situation does not occur again.

“Now that our adversaries have made their intentions clear, it would be foolish of us not to refocus and ensure the safety of the people of Oyo.”

Professor Olanike Adeyemo, Secretary to the State Government; Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, Chief of Staff to the Governor; CP Fatai Owoseni (retd), Special Adviser on Security to the Governor; Col. James Ajibola (retd), DG of Operation Burst; and Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd), DG of Amotekun Corps, attended the reception.

The GOC was accompanied by the top echelon of the 2 Mechanised Division.