Appeal Court Overturns Ruling Nullifying Kano Lg Polls, Kansiec Composition

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a judgment by the Federal High Court in Kano that nullified both the composition of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) and the local government elections it conducted on October 26, 2024.

In a set of three unanimous rulings, a three-member panel led by Justice Biobele Georgewill declared that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to hear matters related to the formation of state electoral commissions and the eligibility of their members.

The appellate court upheld appeals filed by the Attorney General of Kano State, the Kano State House of Assembly, and KANSIEC. It dismissed the original cases filed at the Federal High Court, stating they should have been brought before the Kano State High Court, which holds the appropriate jurisdiction.

Additionally, the Court of Appeal reversed another ruling by the same Federal High Court that had rejected a list of candidates submitted by the Musa Kwankwaso faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the recent local government elections. The appellate court ruled that disputes over party leadership and candidate nominations are non-justiciable.