The Kano State Government has expressed its satisfaction and delight over the landmark judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which overturned an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Kano that sought to halt the conduct of local government council elections in the state.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Oyewumi, held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain a case relating to the conduct of local government elections.
The suit was initially filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), challenging the credibility of the elections and alleging bias on the part of the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi.
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Delivering its judgment, the appellate court upheld the appeal filed by the Kano State Government and set aside the decision of the lower court. The ruling affirms that the local government elections conducted in Kano State are valid and legally binding.
The Kano State Government views this judgment as a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the collective will of the people of Kano State. It also reaffirms our confidence in the judiciary as a vital institution for upholding the rule of law and a cornerstone of democratic governance.
This decision further vindicates the commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission to conducting credible, free, and fair elections, which resulted in the successful emergence of elected officials across all 44 local government councils and 484 wards of the state.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf commends the judiciary for its courage, impartiality, and dedication to upholding constitutional principles. He also extends his sincere appreciation to the people of Kano State for their patience, calmness, and resilience throughout the legal process. This collective show of maturity reflects the political consciousness and democratic spirit of our state.
The government remains firmly committed to grassroots development and will continue to support the democratically elected local government councils in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
On behalf of the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, I warmly congratulate His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the good people of Kano State on this well-deserved judicial victory. This triumph further strengthens our democratic institutions and reinforces the people’s mandate freely expressed at the polls.
Signed: Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs Issued today and made available to newsmen.
