The Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has declared the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) winner of the Local Government elections in the state.
KANSIEC says NNPP won all 44 council areas, clinching the coveted 44 chairmen seats and the available 484 councillor seats in the controversial elections.
The Federal High Court sitting in Kano had in the lead-up to the election sacked Prof. Sani Malumfashi as the chairman of KANSIEC, saying he was a card-carrying member of the NNPP.
The court forthwith restrained KANSIEC from conducting the 2024 LG polls in respect of the 44 LGs in the state until and unless qualified persons are duly and legally appointed as chairman and members of KANSIEC.
However, less than 24 hours before the election on Saturday, the Kano State High Court upheld KANSIEC’s authority to conduct the election.
Justice Sanusi Ma’aji issued the ruling on Friday in response to a legal suit filed by KANSIEC against the APC and 13 others, affirming the commission’s mandate to proceed with the election as scheduled.
Malumfashi confirmed the election would go ahead and conducted the election on Saturday.
Announcing the results at the commission’s headquarters in Kano on Saturday evening, Malumfashi said, “Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) had exercised and observed its Constitutional mandates of planning, organizing, coordinating, observing and conducting Local Government Election in Kano State of Nigeria.
“The exercise was largely peaceful and successful in all ramifications. The Commission therefore deeply appreciates the roles played by the critical stakeholders, notably Security Agencies, Media organizations, Leaders of Political Parties, Civil Society organizations, Religious Leaders, Community Leaders, and Youth and Women organizations, towards the actualization of grassroots. Democracy in the State.”
He added, “The Commission is also profoundly grateful to the good people of Kano State for their collective support, prayers and expression of positive emotions.
“The peaceful conduct of the exercise is a doubtless manifestation of public acceptability of the exercise in terms of credibility, fairness and decency.
“Six Political Parties participated: AA, AAC, ACCORD, ADC, APM, and NNPP. NNPP won all 44 Local Government Chairmanship and 484 Councillorship Positions contested,” he stated.