The ongoing local government council elections in Kano State are witnessing significant voter apathy, with security operatives, particularly members of the Nigeria Police, failing to provide adequate security at various voting centres.
Meanwhile, A Federal High Court sitting in Kano and presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, on Friday, to has again sacked the 44 Local Government chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) submitted to the state independent electoral commission for the Saturday election.
Although the atmosphere in the town and the electoral process were generally calm, members of the vigilante group, Hisbah, and other state security personnel were deployed to polling units to maintain law and order during the election.
It is important to note that the courts had directed the police not to provide security at the polling units, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was mandated not to supply the state electoral body with the voter registration list.
Additionally, it was observed that the police were present only at strategic locations to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
Most shops in certain areas of the state capital were closed during the elections.
As of the time of this report, the election had been completed, and the collation of results was about to commence.
However, Justice Amobeda gave the order following an originating summon filed on the 8th October 2024, by the a faction of the party (NNPP) and one Engr. Muhammad Babayo through their counsel, Sunday Olowomoran to direct the electoral body, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC to only recognize the list of candidates from their faction as genuine candidates.
While the dependants in the case are the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as 1st defendant, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC as 2nd, Inspector General of Police and Director, Department of Security Services (DSS) as 3rd and 4th defendant respectively.
According to a copy of the Court order sighted by Vanguard reads: “That the 1st defendant (INEC) is hereby restrained from releasing the voters register for the 2nd Defendant to conduct the proposed election on 26th October 2024.
Also the 2nd Defendant (KANSIEC) is hereby directed to accept as genuine and subsisting, the list of NNPP candidates submitted to it by the recognized State Chairman of the party Dalhatu Shehu Usman, which is in accordance with the party constitution and rejects any list of Candidate submitted to it by anyone else for the 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State.
While the ” 3rd and 4th Defendants (IGP and Director, DSS) are forthwith restrained from providing security and protection to the scene of the Election plans to take place on the 26th October, 2024,” the court order however reads.
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