On Friday, the Federal High Court in Kaduna State dismissed the suit challenging Uba Sani’s candidature as the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that the plaintiff Sani Sha’aban had, on June 20, taken Sani and other APC stakeholders before the federal high court, where he alleged that the primary that produced them for the 2023 polls should be declared null and void, adding that the party’s statutory delegates were substituted for people who could barely read or write, to do the bidding of Uba Sani and his sponsors.
READ ALSO: 2023: Senator Uba Sani emerges as Kaduna APC guber flag bearer
However, the presiding judge, Mohammed Umar, while delivering his judgement, said the court lacks the jurisdiction to deliver judgement on the said matter because it is a party affair and not a post or pre-election matter.
Counsel to Senator Sani, Sanusi Musa, said he had argued earlier that the court needs the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s (CJN) approval before it could be filed in Kaduna State.
In a swift reaction to the judgement, Senator Sani commended the plaintiff, Sha’aban, for venting his grievance through the courts, saying that was the best way to grow and deepen our democracy.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgement, counsel to Sha’aban, John Mshelia, said he would approach his client and get directives on the next step.
“The party remains indivisible” – Northwest Zonal Secretary
The Northwest zonal publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Musa Mada, has assured party faithfuls and teeming supporters that the party remains one indivisible family determined to salvage the plight of Nigerians.
Mada said this in an interview with reporters while reacting to the Federal high court ruling between the Kaduna state party’s gubernatorial candidate, Uba Sani, and Sani Sha’aban.
While commenting on the development, the secretary further assured members that stakeholders were working tirelessly to ensure unity in the party, adding, “recall that in our last press conference, we mentioned we had resolved 25 out of 36 cases arising from the pre-primary election some of which were inter-party issue.”
“We are still not relenting in ensuring that pending cases are settled out of court, using the reconciliation mechanism,” Mada stressed.
He, however, urged all stakeholders and party faithful to shelve any bitterness and instead maintain optimism of the party’s victory at the general elections at all levels.
Appreciation
Meanwhile, in a statement he signed, the gubernatorial candidate, Senator Sani, had called on Sha’aban to join hands with him in succeeding at the polls.
“The Federal high court affirmed my candidature as the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 gubernatorial elections in Kaduna State. I commend my dear brother, Mallam Sha’aban for ventilating his grievance through the courts. That is the best way to grow and deepen our democracy,” Uba disclosed.
“I want to use this medium to call on Sha’aban to join hands with me as we make the final push for Kashim Ibrahim House. He can add value to our incoming administration. All hands must be on deck to consolidate on the gains made in Kaduna State. Our people deserve the best.
“Our party men and women must see the conclusion of the case in court as an opportunity to build a united front for the 2023 electoral battle. Everybody is important, and we should leave no one behind. Inclusivity must be our watchword. I give thanks to Almighty Allah for this day,” Sani affirmed.
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