Just four days before the scheduled local government elections, a Federal High Court sitting in Kano disqualified the chairman and members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from conducting the polls, citing constitutional violations.
Justice S.A. Amobede delivered the judgment in a suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, against KANSIEC, the state Attorney General, and 14 others.
The court ruled that the KANSIEC chairman and members are card-carrying members of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and not civil servants above grade level 14, contravening sections 197(1)(b) and 200(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution.
According to Justice Amobede, “The defendants, being card-carrying members of the NNPP and engaged in partisan politics, are not qualified to be the Chairman and Members of KANSIEC.”
He further stated that Kabir Zakirai, the Secretary of the Commission, lacks the required rank of Director in the Kano State Civil Service to hold his position.
The judge declared that KANSIEC’s actions, including election guidelines, candidate screening, and nomination form sales, are “null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The defendants were disqualified and removed from their positions, and KANSIEC was restrained from conducting the elections until qualified persons are appointed.
Justice Amobede directed the Police and other security agencies to ensure full compliance with the ruling.
The local government elections in Kano State are scheduled for October 26, 2024.
The APC had earlier filed a suit against KANSIEC, seeking to stop the electoral body from conducting the elections. The party argued that KANSIEC’s members are biased and that the commission’s actions are unconstitutional.
The Kano State government had challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that only state high courts and the state assembly have the power to entertain matters related to KANSIEC. However, the court’s decision has upheld the APC’s petition.
