by Nurat Uthman
The Kano State High Court granted the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) the authority to proceed with the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, nullifying all attempts by political parties to stop the exercise.
Justice Sanusi Ma’aji, presiding over the case, ruled that KANSIEC is empowered by the Constitution to conduct, supervise, and oversee local government elections across the 44 local government areas (LGAs) in Kano State. The case was brought by KANSIEC against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other political parties.
In his ruling, Justice Ma’aji emphasised that any effort to obstruct the process would be deemed null and void.
“KANSIEC, under the provisions of the Constitution, is mandated to hold elections in the state. Any attempt to truncate this process is a nullity,” he said.
The judge also called on security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property during the election.
“It is crucial that security agencies urgently provide the necessary protection to safeguard lives and properties during the conduct of the elections tomorrow,” he ordered.
This ruling comes after a Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, on Tuesday halted the council elections, citing the alleged illegal constitution of KANSIEC. However, the state high court’s ruling has now cleared the way for the polls to proceed as planned.
With this decision, Kano State is poised to conduct its long-awaited local government elections, with KANSIEC ready to carry out its constitutional mandate.
