Just In: Court Restrains KANSIEC From Conducting Kano Local Government Election

The Federal High Court in Kano has issued a restraining order against the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), blocking the scheduled local government elections in the state’s 44 local government areas.

The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Simon Amobeda on Tuesday, invalidates all preparations for the elections slated for the upcoming Saturday.

The lawsuit, initiated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a party member, Aminu Tiga, contested the legal basis under which the Kano State government appointed the commissioners and the chairman of KANSIEC.

The plaintiffs argued that the appointments of KANSIEC officials, who are reportedly members of the ruling New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), contravened the constitutional and electoral requirements for such positions.

Justice Amobeda’s ruling confirmed the plaintiff’s concerns, noting that the composition of KANSIEC’s leadership was flawed, rendering them unfit to oversee the local elections.

He emphasized that the evidence presented clearly demonstrated that the appointments did not adhere to the mandated constitutional and electoral guidelines.

Furthermore, the court has instructed security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the civil defence, not to engage in or provide security for the conduct of the elections until KANSIEC is reconstituted according to legal standards.