LG Polls: Court Stops PDP, APC From Blocking KANSIEC Nomination Fees

A State High Court in Kano has issued a restraining order against the All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and 19 other political parties from obstructing the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from collecting nomination fees ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

The legal intervention follows a protest by the political parties, challenging the steep fees set by KANSIEC for candidates—N10 million for chairmanship aspirants and N5 million for councillorship positions.

The political groups argued that these fees were excessively high, sparking a standoff just weeks before the October 2024 polls.

After hearing submissions from Rilwanu Umar Esq., R.I. Yaura Esq., and Mustapha Oseni Esq., representing the plaintiffs, the court ruled in favour of KANSIEC, issuing an interim injunction that allows the commission to proceed with its statutory responsibilities.

The order explicitly restrains the defendants from taking steps to hinder the electoral body from organising, conducting, regulating, and supervising the local elections.

The court’s decision, handed down by Justice Kano State, ensures that preparations for the October polls continue uninterrupted, pending further hearings.

The case has been adjourned to October 10, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice.