The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has declared the ongoing local government elections, conducted by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), illegal.
Rabi’u Bichi, a party chieftain, shared the APC’s stance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kano, citing a Federal High Court ruling. “The party’s stance is informed by a court order by Justice Simon Amobede of the Federal High Court, Kano, which still stands, and which has rendered the election null and void,” Bichi explained.
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According to Bichi, Justice Amobede’s judgment questioned KANSIEC’s impartiality, asserting that the commission’s leadership showed favoritism toward the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which is in power in Kano. “Since the judgment has not been appealed, the APC considers any outcome of the election illegal,” he added.
The APC chieftain also highlighted another Federal High Court ruling that nullified all NNPP chairmanship candidacies for the election, stating that it further substantiates the APC’s claim regarding the election’s legality.
Meanwhile, Prof. Sani Malumfashi, KANSIEC chairman, insisted that the commission’s operations were within the legal framework. “Every activity of the commission is procedural. We are not partisan,” he remarked, urging KANSIEC staff and ad hoc personnel to remain vigilant against bribery and prevent underage voting.
Malumfashi also reminded political stakeholders that vote-buying, thuggery, and violence violate state electoral regulations. He emphasized the importance of respecting Friday’s Kano High Court judgment, which authorized the elections to proceed as scheduled.
Earlier, the Kano State High Court No. 15 had upheld KANSIEC’s mandate to conduct the local government elections. Justice Sanusi Ado Maaji ruled in favor of the election’s jurisdiction, noting that the applicant had established a compelling case.
