The Kano State High Court has granted the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) the authority to proceed with the local government elections set for Saturday, dismissing attempts by political parties to halt the process.
Presiding over the case, Justice Sanusi Ma’aji ruled that KANSIEC is constitutionally empowered to conduct, supervise, and manage local government elections in all 44 local government areas (LGAs) of 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 stressed that any attempt to interfere with the election process would be considered 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 follows a recent decision by the Federal High Court in Kano, where Justice Simon Amobeda had ordered a halt to the council elections, citing alleged irregularities in the constitution of KANSIEC. However, the state high court’s ruling has now paved the way for the elections to proceed as scheduled.
With this decision, Kano State is set to hold its long-awaited local government elections, as KANSIEC prepares to fulfill its constitutional mandate.