Court Rejects APC’s Bid to Halt Kano Local Government Polls

The Federal High Court in Kano has rejected an application by the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to prevent the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from conducting the scheduled local government elections on October 26.

The application, filed by Aminu Aliyu-Tiga and the APC, through their counsel Mustapha Idris, was submitted on September 18 and officially filed on September 20. The plaintiffs sought an injunction to restrain KANSIEC from moving forward with the elections, requesting the court to maintain the status quo until the matter was resolved.

The respondents in the case include KANSIEC, the Kano State House of Assembly, the Attorney General, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (SSS), the Kano State Police Commissioner, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Other individuals named are Anas Muhammad-Mustapha, Prof. Sani Lawal-Malumfashi, Mukhtar Garba-Dandago, Isyaku Kunya, Shehu Kura, Kabiru Zakirai, and Aminu Inuwa-Fagge.

Justice Simon Amobeda, presiding over the case, declined the APC’s request for an ex parte injunction, stating that the respondents should be given the opportunity to respond before any decision is made. The judge emphasized the importance of due process and ordered an accelerated hearing to ensure a swift resolution.

Additionally, Justice Amobeda instructed all parties to refrain from taking any actions that could interfere with the legal proceedings or undermine the court’s ability to issue a fair and prompt ruling. The matter was adjourned until October 4 for a formal hearing.

In a related development, on September 24, the Kano State High Court issued an order restraining 19 political parties from taking any steps that could disrupt the upcoming local council elections.