Aggrieved APC aspirant drags party leadership to court over unrefunded nomination fees

Sunny Moniedafe, a former aspirant at the March 26, 2022, national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken legal action against the party’s leadership, now headed by Abdullahi Ganduje, for failing to refund his expression of interest and nomination fees.

Thediscovererng.com reports that the case is set for a hearing at an Abuja High Court on Monday, October 28, 2024.

In an interview with Punch, Moniedafe confirmed the lawsuit, citing unfulfilled promises and persistent delays in the reimbursement process. His legal action comes more than two years after the aspirants were asked to step down in favor of former National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu and other National Working Committee (NWC) members.

Despite a directive from former President Muhammadu Buhari to compensate the aspirants, Moniedafe claims the ruling party has refused to follow through. According to him, repeated pleas to the party’s new leadership, under Ganduje, have been ignored, leaving no choice but to resort to legal channels.

“God knows we tried our best by not publicizing this matter for so long. We have written letters, visited the party’s offices, and pleaded with the current leadership since Ganduje took over. Just recently, I visited alongside Barrister Adebayo Shittu and other party members, but to no avail,” Moniedafe lamented. “We can’t keep quiet any longer. It’s not fair, and that’s why I had to take this legal approach. At least now, the party can officially state its position in court.”

He revealed that other aspirants, who are also demanding refunds, have exhausted all avenues, including numerous letters and visits to party officials. Reports suggest that 107 aspirants paid between ₦20 million and ₦25 million each, depending on the position sought, with the APC reportedly collecting over ₦700 million in total from them. Furthermore, the party is said to have generated an additional ₦3 billion among stakeholders and members in preparation for the presidential primaries.

In a letter addressed to Adamu on June 21, 2022, and signed by the 107 aggrieved aspirants, the group accused the party of sidelining them from key assignments during the primaries and demanded their money back.

Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, responded to Punch, stating that the matter is receiving attention and will be resolved soon. However, Moniedafe and his fellow aspirants believe the legal route will push the party to officially address their grievances and expedite a resolution.