The All Progressives Congress has withdrawn from the upcoming Kano local government election, according to the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Sani Malumfashi.
He announced the party’s decision during a news conference on Friday.
“The main opposition party, which is the APC, has withdrawn from the election as they did not participate in any of the processes,” Malumfashi said.
He added that the commission is proceeding with the election following a State High Court ruling that directed the commission to conduct the election on Saturday.
“The commission has completed all arrangements to conduct the election in the state on Saturday, in line with the ruling of a Kano State High Court on Friday,” Malumfashi said.
This ruling follows a Federal High Court in Kano halting the council elections, citing the alleged illegal constitution of KANSIEC.
Malumfashi stated that only six political parties, including the NNPP, ZLP,
Accord Party, NRPM, AAC, and AA, are participating in the election.
“All six political parties that are participating have adhered to the election timetable and guidelines,” he said.
The KANSIEC chairman insisted that the commission is conducting its activities within the bounds of the law. “Every activity of the commission is procedural. We are not partisan.”
He further urged KANSIEC staff and ad hoc staff to resist any temptation of bribery and ensure that underage children are not allowed to vote.
Malumfashi also reminded politicians that vote-buying, thuggery, and other forms of violence contravene the state’s electoral guidelines.
He stressed that all democrats and advocates of democracy are expected to respect Friday’s Kano High Court judgement, which authorised the election to proceed.
Earlier on Friday, Kano State High Court No. 15 affirmed KANSIEC’s jurisdiction to conduct the Kano State local government polls, scheduled to be held on Saturday, 24 October 2024.
In his judgement, Justice Sanusi Ado Maaji stated that the Applicant had successfully proved their case.