Despite the absence of conventional security agencies at polling stations, the Kano State government held a peaceful election yesterday in its 44 local government areas.
In all the polling units visited by LEADERSHIP Sunday, the exercise was generally peaceful as there was no report of violence in the voting centres.
The residents cast their votes quietly and awaited the contest’s outcome, which featured the ruling New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and five others.
The regular security agencies’ duties were performed by Hisbah (State Shari’a Police), Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), Kano State Cooperate Security and vigilante members
The electoral commission, which released the results last night, said the NNPP emerged victorious in the in all the 44 LGAs.
The chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Malumfashi, who announced the results, said the NNPP won all 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship seats.
He said, “The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has exercised and observed its constitutional mandates of planning, organising, coordinating, observing and conducting local government election in Kano State of Nigeria.
“The exercise had been largely peaceful and successful in all ramifications. The commission therefore deeply appreciates the roles played by the critical stakeholders, notably security agencies, and media organisations.
“Others are leaders of political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders, community leaders, youth and women organisations, towards the actualisation of grassroots democracy in the state,” he stated.
Malumfashi, described the peaceful conduct of the exercise as a doubtless manifestation of public acceptability of the exercise in terms of credibility, fairness and decency.
He added that six political parties participated in the election: AA, AAC, ACCORD, ADC, APM, and NNPP.
Poll Illegal – APC
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State said the election was illegal.
A chieftain of the party, Rabi’u Bichi, made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) yesterday in Kano.
“The party’s stance is informed by a court order by Justice Simon Amoabede of the Federal High Court, Kano, which still stands and has rendered the election null and void.
“The judge ruled that the leadership of KANSIEC was partisan and biased towards the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state.
“Since the judgment has not been appealed, the APC considers any outcome of the election illegal,” he said.
The APC chieftain also pointed to a recent Federal High Court judgment that quashed all NNPP chairmanship candidates for the elections, which he said had further reinforced the party’s claims that the election is illegal.
He, however, urged all party members to exercise restraint and await the final outcome of the party’s legal moves to challenge the conduct of the polls.
Addressing newsmen after casting his votes, Governor Abba Yusuf said they were aware of plans by some disgruntled persons to truncate the election process and were taking measures against that.
He expressed appreciation to residents and urged parents to ensure that they watch over their children and guard them against engaging in any form of violence.
He said the election in 484 wards across the 44 local governments was the freest in Kano’s history.
He urged those elected to serve the people’s interests, saying his administration would ensure good governance.
The governor commended the chairman and staff of KANSIEC for ensuring free and fair elections.
Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in 2023, Rabiu Kwankwaso, cast his vote at his Kwankwaso Ward in Madobi local government area.
Addressing newsmen, he described the entire process as peaceful and fair.
However, Kwankwaso alleged that the immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC national chairman, disbursed large amounts of money to the party’s chairmen to hire thugs to disrupt the election.
“Supporters of the Gandujiya are planning to disrupt the election process. They gave money to their party chairmen to hire cars, Volkswagen Gulf and wield dangerous weapons with which to attack voters later in the day and break the ballot boxes.
“This is not proper and we have informed those concerned about this, especially the security agencies so that they take the necessary measures.
“We have also informed our youth and the supporters to ensure that the election is completed without disruption.
“I am happy that things are going well at the moment because those that want to disrupt the process usually come out in the afternoon to evening period,” Kwankwaso stated.
Rural People Will Benefit More From The Election – Gov
Yusuf also said rural dwellers would benefit more from local government elections as soon as their chief executives were sworn-in.
A statement from the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, quoted him saying, “If you are conversant with my movements across the state a few weeks ago, you would understand that Kano State has turned to rural development, we have been making efforts to ensure adequate provision of infrastructure, especially commissioning of five kilometres roads dualised, installation of solar street lights, empowerment, construction of boreholes, primary health facilities, renovation of schools, provision of farm implements and irrigation equipment.
“I think rural dwellers are the luckiest as far as we are concerned. We have been doing these things without elected chairmen. Now, we are electing the executive of the local government councils that will be able to talk and have direct contact with the rural dwellers. Therefore, it would be unprecedented.
“My message to the people is to be ready to receive more development, especially in the areas of health, education, and agriculture empowerment. Especially for our young men and women who are looking for jobs, they should be rest assured that the state government, in conjunction with all the 44 local government areas, is going to take absolute care of their well-being and security, and all they deserve.”
Yusuf maintained that those elected under the NNPP as chairmen and councillors are very responsible and credible personalities.
He lamented that some judges are used to scuttle the interests of the people, especially in Kano State.
He maintained that his administration is doing its best to ensure cordial relationships with all constituted authorities.
Civil Society Situation Room laud KANSIEC, governor
In its assessment of the election, the Kano Civil Society Election Situation Room has applauded the state government and the KANSIEC, for conducting a well-organised Local Government Election.
The coordinator of the situation room and executive director of Citizens for Development and Education, Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, made this known to newsmen after receiving updates about the ongoing LG Poll from across the 44 LGA Areas of the State.
According to him, reports being received so far have been wonderful, considering the impressive turnout of voters, peaceful conduct and compliance with the movement restriction order during election hours.
He said despite the absence of security officials around election areas, the state has remained calm and peaceful which he described as a sign the people are in tune with the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“We must commend the state government and KANSIEC under the able leadership of Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi for a well-organised election.
For the first time, we are seeing a large number of people come out to vote during a local government election, and despite the withdrawal of security personnel, there has been no report of any security threat.
He said this shows that the people are solidly behind their governor and willing to defend democracy despite some deliberate unsuccessful obstructions from some quarters.
Waiya, further described Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf a dogged leader with a meek appearance but very meticulous and wouldn’t let any task half done which has resulted in the success of the election.
