The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has secured all the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections across the 44 local government areas of Kano State in a sweeping victory.

This was announced by the Chairman of the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Sani Malumfashi, at the commission’s headquarters, declaring the NNPP as the winner in every local government contested.

Six political parties participated in the election, which was conducted peacefully throughout the state.

Speaking during the press briefing, Malumfashi praised the peaceful conduct of the election, noting that there were no reports of violence or electoral malpractices.

“We are pleased to announce that the NNPP has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats across the 44 local government areas. The election was conducted in a transparent and orderly manner, and we did not receive any reports of violence,” he said.

Meanwhile, observers have hailed the election as a significant achievement for the state, praising the seamless organization and security arrangements that ensured the elections were conducted without incidents.

The election was finally conducted after series of litigation that sought to stop it from holding.

On Friday, the Kano State High Court granted the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) the authority to proceed with the local government elections, nullifying all attempts by political parties to stop the exercise.

Justice Sanusi Ma’aji who presided over the case, ruled that KANSIEC is empowered by the Constitution to conduct, supervise, and oversee local government elections across the 44 local government areas (LGAs) in Kano State.

The case was brought by KANSIEC against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other political parties.

Our correspondents who monitored the process on Saturday, reported that local vigilante groups and officials of Kano Road Transport Agency, Karota provided security at the polling units.

This was after the Kano State Police Command said it would comply with a court order, restricting it from taking part in the election.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi State Command, has intercepted 16,300 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 180 pieces of donkey skins, used clothes, and 74 cartons of various medicaments, with a total Duty Paid Value of over ₦300 million.

Displaying the seized items at the Command’s headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, the Comptroller of the NCS, Kebbi State Command, Iheanacho Ojike, credited the successful operation to the coordinated efforts of outfield officers and the Command’s intelligence unit.

Ojike disclosed that despite the challenges and inconvenience brought by fuel scarcity, certain individuals exploited the situation by smuggling petroleum products out of the country.

He added that five suspects have been apprehended in connection with the seizures.

Warning smugglers and their syndicates, Ojike stressed that Customs officers are well-prepared and equipped to combat illegal activities.

He added that the seized items would be handed over to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The Kano State High Court granted the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) the authority to proceed with the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, nullifying all attempts by political parties to stop the exercise.

Justice Sanusi Ma’aji, presiding over the case, ruled that KANSIEC is empowered by the Constitution to conduct, supervise, and oversee local government elections across the 44 local government areas (LGAs) in Kano State. The case was brought by KANSIEC against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other political parties.

In his ruling, Justice Ma’aji emphasised that any effort to obstruct the process would be deemed null and void.

“KANSIEC, under the provisions of the Constitution, is mandated to hold elections in the state. Any attempt to truncate this process is a nullity,” he said.

The judge also called on security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property during the election.

“It is crucial that security agencies urgently provide the necessary protection to safeguard lives and properties during the conduct of the elections tomorrow,” he ordered.

This ruling comes after a Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, on Tuesday halted the council elections, citing the alleged illegal constitution of KANSIEC. However, the state high court’s ruling has now cleared the way for the polls to proceed as planned.

With this decision, Kano State is poised to conduct its long-awaited local government elections, with KANSIEC ready to carry out its constitutional mandate.