By Ayo Kehinde
The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has validated the Kano State local government elections held on October 26, 2024.
The ruling followed an appeal filed by the Kano State Attorney General, the State House of Assembly, and KANSIEC, challenging the judgement of the Federal High Court that nullified the composition of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) and the local government elections held on October 26, 2024.
In a unanimous ruling on Friday, a three-member panel of justices led by Biobele Georgewill voided the judgment of the lower court which rejected the list of candidates submitted to KANSIEC by the Kwankwaso-led faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
The court held that matters relating to internal party leadership and candidate nominations are political questions and not subject to judicial review.
In another ruling, the appellate court held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate matters concerning the composition and qualification of state electoral bodies.
The court clarified that such issues fall within the purview of the Kano State High Court, not the Federal High Court.
The decisions effectively reaffirm the legitimacy of the October 2024 local government polls in Kano, offering a significant legal win for the Kano State Government and KANSIEC.
