By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
The judgment of Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja validating the conduct of Local Government elections in Kano state has been met with wild jubilation.
The Appeal court, on Friday, in Abuja quashed the judgement of a Federal High Court, in Kano, which sought to stop the conduct of Local Government elections in the state.
In a unanimous judgment, the panel of Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Oyewumi, declared that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain a matter concerning the conduct of Local Government Council’s elections.
The case was instituted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an acclaimed faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), challenging the credibility of the elections, alleging bias on the part of the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Sani Lawan Malumfashi.
Delivering judgment on the matter, the appellate court upheld the appeal filed by the Kano State Government and nullified the decision of the lower court.
The appellate court affirmed that the Local Government Council election conducted in the state was valid and remain legally binding.
The ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state won all the local government and councillorship seats in the election conducted few months ago.
Reacting to the judgment in a statement released on Friday, on behalf of the state government, Kano Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya said: “The Kano State Government expresses joy and satisfaction with 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 stop the conduct of Local Government council elections in the state.”
“The Kano State Government views this ruling as a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the collective will of the good people of Kano State. It also further reaffirms our belief in the judiciary as the catalyst for the rule of law, last hope for all and sundry, and a pillar for the sustenance of democratic governance.
“The judgment has further vindicated the commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the State Independent Electoral Commission, towards conducting a credible, free and fair election that has ushered in the elected officials across the 44 local governments councils areas and 484 Wards of the state.”
Waiya further hinted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf commended the judiciary, “for its courage, fairness, and commitment to upholding constitutional order.”
Governor Yusuf also appreciated the good people of Kano State for their calmness, resilience, and patience while awaiting the outcome of the legal process.
Waiya said, “this collective show of maturity reflects the political awareness and democratic spirit of our great state.
“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to grassroots development and will continue to support the democratically elected local government councils to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, I heartily congratulate 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.”
