The North Central Elders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has praised the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, following his legal victory in a High Court case and the successful outcome of the recent Edo governorship election.
Led by former Senate President Ameh Ebute, the Elders Forum visited Ganduje at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday to congratulate him. The Forum expressed confidence in Ganduje’s leadership and predicted that the APC would easily win the 2027 general elections under his guidance.
“We feel we should be the first to congratulate you on winning the Edo governorship election for the party, and for adding Edo to states controlled by the APC. We have no doubt in your ability to lead this party to a higher level,” Ebute said. He also lauded the recent High Court ruling that dismissed a suit seeking to remove Ganduje as APC National Chairman, affirming the Elders’ unwavering support for his leadership.
The lawsuit, filed by the North Central APC Forum, had argued that Ganduje’s appointment violated the party’s constitution, which they claimed mandated that the national chairman between 2022 and 2026 should be from the North Central geopolitical zone. However, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court struck out the suit, agreeing with the APC’s preliminary objection that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to challenge Ganduje’s appointment.
Reacting to the ruling, Ebute said, “We are happy that the suit seeking your removal as national chairman was struck out. We are solidly behind you, and we believe the 2027 elections will be a walkover under your leadership.”
Another member of the delegation, former presidential aspirant Cesnabmilhilo Oken’oval, added, “2027 will be the greatest shock. We will carry it clear and clean with your leadership.”
In his response, Ganduje thanked the North Central APC Elders for their continued support, noting that the lawsuit against him was baseless and had been rightly dismissed by the court. “There is no doubt the allegation was baseless, and it has been treated by the court of law,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude for their backing amid the controversies surrounding his chairmanship. “I appreciate the North Central Elders who have stood by me, even amidst the controversies,” Ganduje added.
On the Edo governorship election, Ganduje emphasized that the victory was significant, particularly since the party faced an incumbent governor who was a former APC member. “The election of Saturday is an indication that our efforts are yielding results because fighting an incumbent government is not easy,” Ganduje said.
With the APC’s recent success in Edo and the legal battle behind him, Ganduje is looking ahead with confidence, as the party prepares for future elections, including the governorship races in Ondo and Anambra and the 2027 general election.
