The uncertainty surrounding the Kano local government election, scheduled for tomorrow, has intensified with the expectation of another significant court ruling today.
Recall that a Federal High Court, on Tuesday, halted the planned elections in the state and dissolved the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), reports Daily Trust.
However, despite the court’s ruling, preparations for the polls are ongoing. Lawal Husseini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, the Kano State House of Assembly’s majority leader, had expressed confidence that the elections would proceed as scheduled.
“This judgment has not affected us because we already have an order from the Kano State High Court restraining 19 political parties from stopping the election,” he said on Wednesday, highlighting the ongoing legal complexities.
KANSIEC chairman, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday also confirmed being aware of the court’s decision but indicated that the commission would refrain from making any comments until yesterday.
“We are aware of the issue, but we will not rush to make any comments until Thursday. All necessary information will be shared then,” he stated during a phone call with our correspondent.
Insiders from KANSIEC revealed that Malumfashi’s commitment to hold off on public statements was due to the anticipation of a ruling from the state high court, which had set yesterday for judgment in a suit brought by the electoral body.
However, the judgment was not delivered yesterday, as the presiding judge, Justice Sunusi Ma’aji, was unavailable, leading to its rescheduling to today.
Justice Ma’aji issued an interim injunction on September 25, restraining 19 political parties from taking any actions that could obstruct the upcoming local government election.
This injunction was granted following a motion ex parte filed by KANSIEC on September 20.
The parties listed as respondents in the suit include the Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Boot Party, Labour Party, National Rescue Movement, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressives Party, Young Party and Zenith Labour Party.
After hearing the substantive suit on October 10, Justice Ma’aji adjourned the case to October 24 for judgment.
KANSIEC officials, speaking anonymously, expressed optimism that the high court’s decision expected today would favour the conduct of the election tomorrow.
