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The Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has officially issued certificates of return to the newly elected 44 Local Government Chairmen.

The presentation took place on Sunday morning, led by the commission’s Chairman, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi.

In Saturday’s elections, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) secured victory in all 44 chairmanship positions as well as 484 councillorship seats.

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While presenting the certificates, Malumfashi stated, “In accordance with the electoral process, the commission has the duty to issue certificates of return to the elected Chairmen and Councillors, recognizing them as legitimate leaders of their respective local government areas. They are now responsible for addressing the official needs of their LGAs.”

Sources indicate that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is expected to swear in the chairmen at the Government House in Kano.

During a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters, Malumfashi highlighted that the election was conducted smoothly across all 44 Local Government Areas.

He noted that KANSIEC provided all necessary materials to facilitate an efficient electoral process.

Originally set for November 30, the elections were rescheduled to October 26 following a Supreme Court ruling that affirmed local government autonomy.

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Malumfashi welcomed the peaceful conduct of the election, emphasizing its significance in promoting local government independence.

Despite the successful elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deemed the results illegal.

APC chieftain, Rabi’u Bichi explained that this stance is based on a court order from Justice Simon Amobede of the Federal High Court, Kano, which declared the election null and void due to alleged bias from KANSIEC towards the ruling NNPP.

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Bichi added that since the judgment has not been appealed, the APC considers any election outcome invalid.

He also referenced a recent Federal High Court ruling that annulled all NNPP chairmanship candidates for the elections, further supporting the party’s claims.

He urged party members to remain calm and await the results of ongoing legal actions to contest the election’s legitimacy.

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As Abia State prepares for local government elections on November 2, Governor Alex Otti has called on voters to support candidates who align with his vision for the state, regardless of their political party affiliation.

Speaking on Thursday during the commissioning of the newly rebuilt Aba South LGA Administrative office complex and refurbished emergency ambulances at the Aba South Local Government Headquarters, Otti emphasized the importance of effective governance at the grassroots level.

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He stated, “Effective administration at the local governments is very important for our holistic development agenda.”

He encouraged citizens to actively engage in the electoral process by questioning candidates and endorsing those who share in the state’s development objectives.

Otti expressed confidence in the electorate’s ability to choose the right candidates, saying, “Like I have always known, Abia people go for the right candidates despite platform.”

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He assured that the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) would receive the necessary support to ensure a smooth election process on November 2, 2024.

Addressing the challenges of democratic governance, Otti remarked that while violence has no place in a democratic society, effective leadership is essential for addressing crises.

He lamented the failure to restore the symbolic Aba Town Hall and the Administrative Block of Aba South LGA since the 2020 End SARS protests, calling it an unfortunate situation.

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He praised the Mayor of Aba South for completing the reconstruction project in record time.

“The difference between today and yesteryears is that we now have a leadership that appreciates the historical and social importance of these facilities,” he noted.

The event highlighted the Mayor’s commitment to providing the right environment for effective public service delivery, aligning with Otti’s “rebuild and restore” agenda.

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Also present, Abia State House of Assembly Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, thanked the Governor for his support in rebuilding the office complex destroyed during the protests.

He reaffirmed the Labour Party’s leadership in the state and expressed confidence that any internal party differences would be resolved.

Mayor of Aba South LGA, Chief Uche Nwogu, reflected on the dilapidated state of the office complex following the protests and expressed his commitment to the Governor’s administrative style, aiming to transform the council into a self-sustaining entity not reliant on federal allocations.

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Nwogu commended Otti as an advocate for transparency and good governance, while the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba, highlighted the significance of the revamped emergency service ambulances.

He introduced the state-of-the-art Abia State Emergency Tripod System, which integrates fire, security, and medical emergency services.

Aba resident and President of Aba Sports Club, Sir Chris Agbo, lauded Otti’s commitment to enhancing the city’s infrastructure and commended the Mayor for the transformative efforts at the council headquarters.

The event was attended by numerous members of the State Executive Council, the Secretary to the State Government, Mayors from various LGAs, industry leaders, and representatives from the Hausa and Yoruba communities, among other dignitaries.

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has distanced himself from the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shuaibu, clarified in a statement to The Nation that Atiku is not involved in any way with the current turmoil affecting the party.

The PDP has recently experienced a wave of suspensions and counter-suspensions, prompting intervention from the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees, and the National Reconciliation Committee.

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Analysts suggest that the turmoil may stem from longstanding tensions between Atiku and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Neither Atiku nor Wike was invited to a meeting on Thursday, which was described by PDP Governors Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed as a gathering of all party stakeholders.

Concerns remain that internal conflicts could resurface during the upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 28.

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When asked about any potential involvement of Atiku’s camp in discussions among some PDP members to engage lawyers and challenge Justice Peter Lifu’s order, which prevents the removal of acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, Shuaibu called such suggestions “bizarre.”

Shuaibu emphasized that Atiku Abubakar advocates for due process and is focused on strengthening the PDP as a viable political party.

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He stated, “It is extremely farfetched and unfair to insinuate that Atiku has any involvement with any individual or group’s plans to brief lawyers and go to court regarding Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment.”

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a contempt lawsuit against Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for his failure to investigate allegations of electoral offenses committed during the 2023 general elections.

SERAP accuses Yakubu of not identifying suspected perpetrators and ensuring their prosecution.

On July 18, 2024, Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered INEC to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies and to investigate other electoral offenses from the 2023 elections.

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The ruling mandated that INEC seek independent counsel for the investigation of these allegations.

Despite this order, INEC and Professor Yakubu have reportedly failed to comply.

The Federal High Court issued a warning, stating that Yakubu could be “guilty of contempt of Court and liable to be committed to prison” if he does not adhere to the court’s judgment.

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The court notice addressed to Professor Yakubu reads in part: “take notice that unless you obey the Orders contained in the Judgment of the 18th July 2024 made by Justice Egwuatu… you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

In a statement dated October 27, 2024, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization criticized INEC, stating, “It’s unacceptable to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride. A democratic state based on the rule of law cannot exist or function if INEC and its chair routinely ignore and/or fail to abide by court orders.”

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The statement continued: “Despite the service of the certified true copy of the judgment on INEC and Professor Yakubu, they have failed and/or refused to obey it.”

It emphasized that the ongoing cases of electoral bribery and violence undermine Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy. Recent allegations of electoral offenses in Edo State suggest that INEC has not learned from the issues that plagued the 2023 elections.

As the upcoming governorship election in Ondo approaches, SERAP urges INEC to address persistent electoral offenses, hold perpetrators accountable, and uphold citizens’ rights to vote and participate politically.

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Justice Egwuatu’s ruling highlighted SERAP’s concerns regarding electoral violence, stating: “The substance of SERAP’s grouse is the violence associated with elections in Nigeria which tends to prevent citizens from exercising their franchise during elections, thus preventing credible elections and in the long run credible leaders.”

The judgment further noted, “There is no gainsaying the fact that electoral violence and the associated crimes committed during elections in Nigeria is a great bane to the development of this Country both democratically and economically.”

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Justice Egwuatu affirmed that SERAP has a legal interest in the enforcement of public duties by INEC, emphasizing that the Electoral Act 2022 outlines specific electoral offenses, including provisions for trial in relevant courts and prosecution by INEC legal officers.

In granting orders against INEC, the judgment stated:

“AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to seek the appointment of independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral offences including bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections.”

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“AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections, identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution.”

“AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to swiftly prosecute all arrested electoral offenders in the just concluded 2023 general election in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and other law enforcement agencies.”

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Previously, on July 20, 2024, SERAP requested that Professor Yakubu “use his good offices and leadership position to immediately enforce the judgment ordering INEC to pursue cases of electoral offences including bribery against state governors and their deputies during the chaotic 2023 general elections.”

SERAP’s contempt lawsuit against INEC and Professor Yakubu is filed under section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act and Order IX, Rule 13 of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules of Court.

No date has yet been set for the hearing of the contempt suit.

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The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has achieved a historic victory by winning all chairmanship and councillorship positions in the recently concluded local government elections across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.

Sani Malumfashi, Chairman of the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), announced the results at a press briefing, confirming that the NNPP emerged victorious in every contested local government.

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The election saw participation from six political parties and was marked by peaceful conduct throughout the state, with no reports of violence or electoral misconduct.

“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,” Malumfashi stated.

Election observers praised the organization and security measures in place, deeming the election a significant achievement for the state.

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The elections were conducted following a series of legal battles that had sought to prevent them from taking place.

On Friday, the Kano State High Court ruled in favor of KANSIEC, allowing the elections to proceed and nullifying attempts by political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), to halt the process.

Justice Sanusi Ma’aji, who presided over the case, affirmed that KANSIEC is constitutionally empowered to conduct and oversee local government elections in the state.

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Our correspondent gathered that local vigilante groups and officials from the Kano Road Transport Agency (Karota) provided security at polling units, following a court order that restricted the Kano State Police Command from participating in the elections.