Observers Condemn Kano LG Elections

The National Patriotic Coalition (NPC), has strongly condemned the recently conducted local government elections in Kano State, labelling it as a sham and a blatant disregard for democracy. Despite a Federal High Court ruling that sacked the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidates, the group of observers said Governor Abba Yusuf went ahead with the […]

The National Patriotic Coalition (NPC), has strongly condemned the recently conducted local government elections in Kano State, labelling it as a sham and a blatant disregard for democracy.

Despite a Federal High Court ruling that sacked the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidates, the group of observers said Governor Abba Yusuf went ahead with the exercise against the rule of law and judicial authority.

In a statement signed by Dr. Kunle Solomon, the group said the election’s outcome, which saw the NNPP sweep all 44 chairmanships and 484 councillorship seats, lacks legitimacy.

Solomon further described the exercise as comedy taken too far and a mere kangaroo for underage children.

He said Governor Yusuf was bent on carrying on with the polls against the court order simply because he was neither prepared nor had any clue as to what an election should be like.

“The National Patriotic Coalition (NPC) strongly condemns the recently conducted local government elections in Kano State, as it is a sham and a blatant disregard for democracy,” the statement said.

“Despite a Federal High Court ruling that sacked the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidates, Governor Abba Yusuf chose to undermine the rule of law and judicial authority.

“This is a clear violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), as amended – Section 287(1), which states that ‘the decisions of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court or any other court established by this Constitution shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to such court’.

“The election’s outcome, with the NNPP sweeping all 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship seats, lacks legitimacy. We have it on good authority that the state electoral commission failed to print any election material and where it did, it engaged children to thumbprint and declare results never carried out anywhere.

“This is unacceptable and undermines the democratic process. The people of Kano deserve better than a farcical election that disregards their will. We condemn the illegality which will obviously reduce the image of the country in the comity of nations.”

The group called on the relevant authorities to investigate and address the gross irregularities that marred the elections.