The Kano State Government has welcomed the verdict of the Court of Appeal that validated the conduct of local government elections in the state.
The state government described the ruling as a major boost for democratic governance and constitutional order.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the government explained that it was elated by the appellate court’s verdict, which nullified an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Kano that voided the polls.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja presided over by Justice Oyewumi had ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress and a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, which challenged the credibility of the elections and accused the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Sani Lawan Malumfashi, of bias.
The appellate court reversed the lower court’s verdict and upheld the appeal filed by the state government, thereby validating the election.
The state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, while reacting to the judgement, hailed the decision as a triumph for democracy, justice and the rule of law.
The governor said, “This judgment affirms our unwavering belief in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, a critical pillar of democratic governance, and protector of constitutional integrity.”;
He stated that the ruling was a clear endorsement of the state’s commitment to a free, fair and credible electoral process, which produced elected officials across the 44 local government areas and 484 wards in the state.
Yusuf also lauded the people of Kano for their calmness, which he said reflects the democratic awareness and resilience of the citizenry. He commended their patience and political maturity while awaiting the outcome of the legal process.
