Court halts LG election in Kano, bars police, others from participation

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has restrained the state Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from conducting elections into chairmanships and councillorship seats in the 44 local government areas of the state.

In a landmark judgment delivered by Justice Simon Amobeda on Tuesday, the court declared that all activities and preparations of KANSIEC in respect of the conduct of the election slated for next Saturday are henceforth rendered null and void.

In the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and one Aminu Tiga, the plaintiffs challenged the legality of the Kano State government’s constitution of commissioners and the chairman of the state electoral commission.

In their originating summons, the plaintiffs argued that the KANSIEC commissioners and the chairman are members of the ruling New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), insisting their appointment contradicts the provisions of the Constitution and electoral laws.

Justice Amobeda, who ruled in affirmation of the prayers of the plaintiffs, submitted that evidence before the court clearly shows that the chairman, secretary of the commission, and the entire commissioners of KANSIEC were not properly constituted and were therefore not fit to conduct the council election.

Justice Amobeda declared that until the members of KANSIEC are properly constituted in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution and electoral act, KANSIEC is prohibited from conducting the poll.

The court has also directed the police, DSS, and civil defence not to participate in or provide security for any conduct of local government elections in Kano until the leadership of KANSIEC is properly constituted.