Despite conflicting court orders, local government election across Kano’s 44 local government are ongoing as voting materials were distributed to various polling units early Saturday.
In Sharada Salanta Ward, election officials came out early to distribute voting materials as residents await the beginning of voting.
Security is being maintained by the Kano Road and Traffic Agency in collaboration with local vigilantes as police officers stayed away obeying a court order.
Statewide, vehicular movement is limited due to government-imposed movement restrictions.
Credible News reports that a Federal High Court judge in Kano, Justice Simon Amobeda had temporarily halted the council elections due to claims of the illegal constitution of KANSIEC. However, a state high court paved the way for the elections to proceed as scheduled.
READ ALSO: APC calls Kano LG polls null and void, cites subsisting court orders
Justice Sanusi Ma’aji ruled that KANSIEC is constitutionally empowered to conduct and oversee local government elections across the 44 local government areas in Kano State. The case was initiated by KANSIEC against the All Progressives Congress, along with 13 other political parties.
Additionally, the judge urged security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property during the elections. “It is essential that security agencies provide the necessary protection to safeguard lives and properties during the elections tomorrow,” he directed.
Justice Ma’aji said that any attempts to hinder the electoral process would be considered invalid.
“KANSIEC is mandated by the Constitution to conduct elections in the state. Any effort to disrupt this process is a nullity,” he stated.
Meanwhile the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kano State has described as illegal the local government elections conducted on Saturday by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC.
A chieftain of the party, Rabi’u Bichi, made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Kano.
“The party’s stance is informed by a court order by Justice Simon Amobede of the Federal High Court, Kano, which still stands, and which has rendered the election null and void,” he said.
Credible News.ng
