The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has announced that the local government elections conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) on Saturday are illegal.
Statements from APC Chieftain
Rabi’u Bichi, a chieftain of the party, stated in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the party’s position is based on a court order issued by Justice Simon Amobede of the Federal High Court in Kano, which declared the elections null and void.
- Bichi emphasized that the ruling indicated KANSIEC’s leadership was partisan and biased in favor of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state.
- Since the judgment has not been appealed, Bichi asserted that any outcomes from the elections should be considered illegal.
Additionally, he referenced a recent Federal High Court ruling that annulled all NNPP chairmanship candidates for the elections, further supporting the APC’s claims regarding the election’s legality.
Call for Restraint
Bichi urged party members to remain calm and await the final outcomes of the legal actions being pursued by the APC to contest the conduct of the polls.
KANSIEC’s Response
In contrast, KANSIEC Chairman Prof. Sani Malumfashi insisted that the commission is operating within legal boundaries. He stated:
- “Every activity of the commission is procedural. We are not partisan.”
- He called on KANSIEC staff and ad hoc personnel to resist any bribery attempts and ensure that underage individuals do not participate in the voting process.
- Malumfashi reminded politicians that practices such as vote-buying and thuggery violate the state’s electoral guidelines and urged respect for a recent Kano High Court judgment that allowed the elections to proceed.
Conclusion
The situation underscores a tense political climate in Kano State, with the APC challenging the legitimacy of the local government elections while KANSIEC maintains its commitment to conducting fair elections.