Politics

Kano LG polls to proceed despite court ruling, assembly majority leader insists

Published

4 months ago

October 26, 2024

Despite a Federal High Court ruling halting the local government elections in Kano, preparations for the polls continue, with the Kano State House of Assembly’s majority leader, Lawal Husseini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, affirming that the elections will proceed as scheduled.

The Federal High Court had dissolved the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) due to claims of partisanship.

However, when Daily Trust visited the KANSIEC office on Wednesday, preparations were in full swing.

Lists of ad hoc staff were posted, and prospective candidates were seen verifying their names. Hauwa Muhammad, an applicant from Dala Local Government Area, expressed her eagerness to contribute, stating that she needed the job.

It was also observed that security at the KANSIEC office was tight, with police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives monitoring visitors closely.

Speaking to Daily Trust, Chediyar Yan Gurasa dismissed concerns about the election being halted.

“Nothing will stop us from conducting the election. This judgment has not affected us because we already have an order from the Kano State High Court restraining 19 political parties from stopping the election,” he said.

He added that the election would be conducted with or without police presence, insisting that patriotic citizens would protect the ballot boxes.

Daily Trust reports that his position is similar to what transpired during the Rivers State LG election when a court asked police not to provide security but the state government went ahead with the election regardless.

There is also speculation about a change in who will announce the results, with the commission’s chairman, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, possibly being replaced for the task, depending on legal advice.

Kano-based legal practitioner, Abba Hikima, criticised the state government for allowing this legal situation to arise, noting that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction over the appointment of KANSIEC members.

“The subject matter is outside the stipulations of Section 251 of the constitution,” he said, blaming the government for creating loopholes that the opposition capitalised on.

However, another lawyer, Umar Danbaito, argued that KANSIEC should obey the court order or challenge it at the Court of Appeal, as it is settled law that court orders must be followed unless overturned by a higher court.

A political scientist, Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge from Bayero University Kano, warned that defying the court order could lead to further legal challenges, citing past incidents in Rivers State as a precedent. He also highlighted the risk of violence due to the absence of security personnel during the elections.

Politics

BREAKING: Ex- Lagos guber candidate Jandor dumps PDP

Published

9 hours ago

March 3, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as JANDOR, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The 2023 Lagos governorship candidate made the announcement on Monday during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos.

While he did not disclose his next political move, JANDOR assured that he would make his intentions known in the coming months.

His departure from the PDP comes with the backing of his supporters across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State.

Details to follow…

Politics

UPDATED: Present 2025 Budget in the next 48hrs, Rivers Assembly tells embattled Fubara

Published

10 hours ago

March 3, 2025

Naijablitznews

… Assembly insists on no account should Rivers people suffer

The Rivers State House of Assembly has given embattled Governor Siminalayi Fubara 48 hours to present the 2025 budget to the House.

Also, Fubara was encouraged to act fast and do the needful to stop unnecessary suffering by Rivers people over the stoppage of federal allocations to the state.

See details below:
The Rivers House of Assembly on the 3rd day of March 2025, amongst other matters deliberated on Judgements of
the Supreme Court in Suits numbers- SC/Cy/1174/2024 and sC/CV/1105/2024 delivered on the 28h day of
February 2025 and resolved as follows:

“That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court in Suit no.: sc/CV/1174/2024 for the stoppage of
Statutory Federal allocations to the Rivers State Government and haltíng of spending from the
Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State pending the passage of an Appropriation Bill, you are
requested to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999
Constitution as amended.

“That the House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.

“That since the Supreme Court in the judgement delivered in Suit no.: SC/CV/1105/20
0/2024 nullified the
Rivers State Local Government Elections of 5th October 2024 for non-compliance with the
Electoral Act among other reasons, the House would soon commence the process of amending the
Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and the Rivers State Independent Electoral
Commission Law No. 2 of 2018 so that they can be in tandem with the Electoral Act and pave the way
for the commencement of plans for fresh Local Government elections in the State.

That your attention should be drawn to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended; the Rivers
State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023 as well as the Judgement of the Supreme Court in
Suit No.: Sc/cv/343/2024 that prohibits the administration of Local Governments by HLGA’S or any
other persons other than democratically elected officials.

That the House would proceed on a 12- week recess as from Friday 7th March 2025 but Standing
Committees would be expected to continue statutory functions.

“Please be informed that our resolutions are geared towards a quick fix to the current financial quagmire
occasioned by the absence of an Appropriatíon Law for Rivers State.

“We do not want Rivers State people to
suffer.

“We, therefore, urge you to act fast and do the needful in the best interest of the good people of Rivers
State.