The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has escalated its legal challenge to the recent local government elections in the state by seeking a Federal High Court order to stop monthly allocations to the 44 local government councils in the State until what it called “fair and just” elections were held.
The case, spearheaded by Hon. Abdullahi Abbas and Hon. Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the APC itself, was filed against multiple federal and state government organs, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and all 44 local government councils of Kano State.
Justice S.A. Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano has granted an expedited order to ensure swift proceedings. The court directed that all processes be served through official state and federal legal representatives, speeding up the case. “This matter is abridged to seven days from the date of service of the Order,” Justice Amobeda ordered, setting the hearing for November 22, 2024.
Meanwhile, speaking to LEADERSHIP, APC spokesperson in the State, Ahmad Aruwan, assured that all parties would be promptly notified accordingly. “We will ensure all parties involved are duly served, so the suit will continue,” Aruwan said.
The APC’s legal action stemmed from what it claimed was an illegitimate local government election exercise in the State on October 26, 2024. The party argued that opposition candidates were unjustly excluded from the exercise. The APC cited a previous ruling from Justice Amobeda, disqualifying Prof. Sani Lawan Malumfashi from holding the office of chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), and several members of the commission due to their affiliations with the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
According to the APC, KANSIEC defied the court ruling and proceeded with the elections, hence the APC decided to challenges the legitimacy of the local government council polls.
“The fact that the electoral commission defied the court order and conducted the election makes it illegitimate,” Aruwan argued. “If there was no valid election, then who should the federal government disburse funds to?”
Aruwan further contended that APC candidates and members from other parties were unfairly blocked from participating in the elections, with the NNPP ultimately sweeping all 44 local government council seats. “Our party members, along with other opposition members, were deprived of the opportunity to contest in this election,” he said. “How can that be called an election?”
The legal tussle has ignited new political tension in Kano State, with NNPP loyalists accusing the APC of undermining progress in the state. Aruwan, however, dismissed the claims and reiterated that the APC’s actions were intended to protect democratic values.
“Those claiming that our lawsuit is damaging Kano state and we are enemies of the state are all Kwankwasiyya loyalists, we are championing this cause because we believe it is the right thing to do to protect the interest of our party members and the state at large. It doesn’t make sense that a single party, only NNPP will win all seats in the 44 local governments,” he stated.
Recall that Kano State government had defended KANSIEC’s action, citing an October 25 ruling from the Kano State High Court. The ruling, delivered by Justice Sanusi Ma’aji, granted KANSIEC permission to conduct the elections, instructing security agencies to ensure safety of all during the exercise. However, Aruwan criticised the decision, asserting that KANSIEC’s actions directly contradicted Justice Amobeda’s original ruling. “When they issued that order, the court had already halted the election,” he argued.
LEADERSHIP recalls a similar incident in Rivers State culminating in the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja stopping the CBN and other relevant agencies from disbursing monthly allocations from FAAC to the local government councils in the State.
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