Kano Government Welcomes Appeal Court Verdict Upholding Local Government Elections
Kano, Nigeria – The Kano State Government has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja that upheld the legality of the recently conducted local government elections in the state, calling it a “major boost to democratic governance and constitutional order.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the state government was elated by the decision, which overturned an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Kano that sought to halt the polls.
The appellate court, presided over by Justice Oyewumi, held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The appellants had questioned the credibility of the polls and accused the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Sani Lawan Malumfashi, of bias.
Justice Oyewumi, in delivering the judgment, ruled in favour of the Kano State Government, affirming that the elections were conducted within the bounds of the law and therefore remain valid and binding.
The statement from the state government reads in part:
> “This ruling not only reinforces the sanctity of our electoral institutions but also restores public confidence in the rule of law and the judicial process. The government of Kano State remains committed to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the people’s mandate is respected.”
The legal tussle had sparked concerns about the stability of local governance in Kano, with opposition parties challenging the process and outcome of the elections.
