Court Disqualifies KANSIEC Chairman, Members from Conducting Kano LG Polls

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has disqualified the Chairman and members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from conducting the local government elections scheduled for October 26, 2024.

The ruling was delivered on Monday by Justice S.A. Amobede, in response to a suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga, a member of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tiga, in his suit, challenged the eligibility of the KANSIEC chairman and its members, citing their alleged affiliation with the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and failure to meet the required civil service grade qualifications.

In his judgment, Justice Amobede declared that the defendants, as active participants in partisan politics, were unfit for their roles as electoral officials.

“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),” the judge ruled.

Continuing, the court disqualified Kabir Zakirai, the Secretary of KANSIEC, citing his ineligibility based on his previous civil service rank.

Justice Amobede noted that Zakirai did not meet the legal requirement of holding the rank of Director in the Kano State Civil Service before his appointment, as stipulated under Section 14 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001.

In addition to the disqualifications, the court also invalidated all prior actions taken by KANSIEC in preparation for the upcoming elections, including the issuance of election guidelines, the screening of candidates, and the sale of nomination forms.

“Whatever the Commission did or 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 court ruled.

The court further restrained KANSIEC from conducting the local government elections in Kano’s 44 local government areas until qualified individuals were appointed to the Commission.

“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,” Justice Amobede declared.

The ruling also directed law enforcement agencies to ensure immediate compliance with the court’s order.

“The defendants are forthwith disqualified and removed from their positions as chairman and members of the Commission,” the court ordered.