Kano LG poll: Restrict release of voter’s register to KANSIEC, APC urges court

The contention around the conduct of local government elections in Kano took a fresh dimension as the All Progressives Congress (APC) asked the Federal High Court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INECINEC) from releasing the voter register to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) until it conforms with the provisions of the Constitution.

In a process filed by APC and Abdullahi Abbas, Kano APC Chairman, on Friday, it also sought an interlocutory injunction restraining KANSIEC from the processes for the conduct of the council poll until the issues set for determination in the originating summons are decided.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Ismail Abdulazeez, posited that allowing KANSIEC to proceed with the process while pending issues are 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 of KANSIEC; and four Commissioners of KANSIEC.

Briefing journalists after the hearing of the matter held in the chamber of the Judge, Barrister Abdullahi said the issues in the originating summons seek interpretation of the position of the Constitution in KANSIEC guidelines and laws.

“We want the court to determine whether KANSIEC is a revenue-generating agency, considering whether the N9 million and N4 million stipulated for Chairman and Councillor nomination forms, respectively, are exorbitant or not. Also, for the court to determine whether it is impartial regarding the Constitution of membership of KANSIEC,” the party said.

However, the presiding Judge ordered the plaintiffs’ counsel to duly serve the respondents with the processes while adjourning the hearing of the application until 11th October 2024.

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

READ ALSO: LG poll: KANSIEC slashes nomination fees, mandates drug, psychiatric tests

Responding to a motion on notice to show cause why 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 reserve the jurisdiction to order KANSIEC on issues regarding its functions.

The plaintiffs (APC and Tiga) on 20th September 2024 filed an ex parte motion asking Justice Amobeda to stop the processes and planned conduct of the local government election until the hearing and determination of issues on the originating summons.

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

In the originating summons, the plaintiffs insisted the cost of nomination forms for the positions of Chairman and Councillor is too exorbitant. APC is also alleging that the commissioners of KANSIEC are members of NNPP who would not do justice to third parties in the election.

The presiding Judge, Justice Amobeda, has also reserved hearing on all the applications until 11th October 2024.