The Chairman and members of Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) have been disqualified by the Federal High Court in Kano State from holding the local government election on October 26, 2024.
The ruling was delivered by Justice S.A. Amobede, who presided over the court, in response to a suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga, a member of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tiga called out the KANSIEC chiefs for being affiliated with the ruling NNPP and not meeting civil service grade requirements.
The ruling by Justice Amobede stated that the chairman and other Commission members were incapable of fulfilling their duties.
Kano State Barred from Conducting LG Election
Justice Amobede ruled.
“The defendants being card-carrying members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and in partisan politics contrary to Section 197 (1) (b) and Section 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 4 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001, are not qualified to be the Chairman and Members of the Defendant, (KANSIEC),”
“Kabir Zakirai, not being an officer in the Kano State Civil Service not below the rank of Director before he was appointed Secretary of the Commission, is not qualified to be appointed to the position under Section 14 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001,”
“Whatever the Commission did or has done or is doing in preparation for the 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State such as issuance of election guidelines, circulars, screening of candidates, sale of nomination and expression interest forms, whichever and howsoever, are null and void and of no effect whatsoever,”
“The 1st Defendant (KANSIEC) cannot validly and competently conduct Local Government Election 2024 in respect of 44 Local Governments in Kano State until and unless qualified persons are duly and legally appointed as chairman and members of the commission,”
“The defendants are forthwith disqualified and removed from their positions as chairman and members of the Commission,”.
Additionally, the court instructed law enforcement agencies to guarantee adherence to the decision, demanding the immediate disqualification and removal of the defendants from their respective roles.
