The Chairman and members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) have been barred by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano State from conducting the state’s forthcoming Local Government election which is slated to be held on October 26, 2024.
News About Nigeria reports that the court’s judgement was delivered by Justice S.A. Amobede on Tuesday, in response to a suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga, a member of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his suit, Tiga challenged the KANSIEC leadership eligibility, citing their affiliation with the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and their failure to meet civil service grade requirements.
Delivering judgement on the suit, Justice Amobede ruled that the chairman and other members of the Commission were unfit for their roles because they are card-carrying members of the NNPP.
Also, the court disqualified Kabir Zakirai, the Secretary of KANSIEC, citing his ineligibility for the position due to his previous civil service rank.
The judgement partly reads, “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,” Justice Amobede ruled.
“Whatever the Commission did, 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 court, therefore, directed law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the ruling, ordering that the defendants be disqualified and removed from their roles immediately.
