Kano IG polls: Again, APC asks court to stop INEC from releasing voters’ register

Ahead of the LG polls, Kano Independent Electoral Commission has slashed the cost of nomination forms, insisting on drug tests for aspirants — Kano Independent Electoral Commission

The contention around the conduct of local council election in Kano State has taken a fresh dimension as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Federal High Court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) until it conforms to the provisions of the constitution.

The APC and Abdullahi Abbas, Kano APC Chairman, on Friday, also sought an interlocutory injunction restraining KANSIEC from conducting the council polls until issues set for determination in the originating summon are decided.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Ismail Abdulazeez, posited that allowing KANSIEC to proceed with the process, with pending issues yet to be determined, may affect APC’s participation in the council election.

APC, in the fresh suit, is challenging the credibility of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kano State; KANSIEC, INEC, Attorney General of the Federation, Chairman KANSIEC and four Commissioners of KANSIEC.

Briefing journalists after the hearing of the matter, Abdullahi said: “We want the court to determine whether KANSIEC is a revenue generating agency, considering whether the N9 million and N4 million stipulated for Chairmanship and Councillorship nomination forms respectively are exorbitant or not.

“Also, for the court to determine whether it is impartial or not, the constitution of membership of KANSIEC.” However, the presiding Judge, ordered the plaintiffs’ counsel to duly serve the respondents with the processes and adjourned hearing of the application till October 11, 2024.

In another development, the Kano State government has sought a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear cases bordering on the state electoral body ahead of local council poll.

Responding to a motion on notice to show cause while the court should not grant the application filed by APC and one Aliyu Aminu Tiga, the state government insisted that only the state Assembly and state High Court reserved the jurisdiction to order KANSIEC on issues regarding her functions.

Justice Amobeda refused the application but rather ordered the state government and 13 other respondents to show cause why the request of APC should not be granted.