Federal High Court
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Fubara Dagogo, challenging the party’s recently conducted national congress.
Delivering judgment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, describing it as an internal affair of a political party. The court held that disputes relating to nomination, purchase of forms, and party primaries are non-justiciable and fall outside judicial review.
The judge also imposed a ₦20 million fine against the plaintiff and his lawyer, awarding ₦10 million each in favour of the defendants.
Dagogo had approached the court seeking to nullify the APC national congress and his alleged exclusion from contesting for the position of National Vice Chairman, South-South zone. He claimed he was duly cleared and had paid for nomination forms but was denied participation.
In his suit, Dagogo asked the court to void the congress outcome, declare his entitlement to contest, and award ₦100 million in damages for alleged embarrassment and emotional distress caused by his exclusion. He also argued that his removal violated party procedures.
The All Progressives Congress All Progressives Congress, along with its national leadership, opposed the case, arguing that it should be struck out for lack of jurisdiction.
Counsel to the party maintained that the matter concerned internal party processes, which courts are not empowered to interfere with. He also argued that Dagogo failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms provided in the party’s constitution.
Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the arguments, stating that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to bring the case and that the suit amounted to an abuse of court process.
The ruling reinforces long-standing legal principles that political parties retain autonomy over their internal affairs, including congresses and candidate selection processes, unless constitutional or criminal issues are involved.
The decision effectively ends Dagogo’s legal challenge to the APC congress while imposing significant financial penalties over what the court described as an unmeritorious case.
