The Kano State Government has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s verdict that validated the conduct of local government elections in the state, describing the ruling as a major boost to democratic governance and constitutional order.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the government said it was elated by the appellate court’s verdict, which nullified an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Kano that sought to halt the polls.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, and presided over by Justice Oyewumi, ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress and a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, which had challenged the credibility of the elections and accused the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Sani Lawan Malumfashi, of bias.
The appellate court upheld the appeal filed by the state government, thereby validating the elections and declaring them legally binding.
Reacting to the judgment, the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, hailed the decision as a triumph for democracy, justice, and the rule of law.
This judgment affirms our unwavering belief in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, a critical pillar of democratic governance, and protector of constitutional integrity,” he said.
Yusuf maintained that the ruling was a clear endorsement of the state’s commitment to a free, fair, and credible electoral process, which produced elected officials across the 44 local government areas and 484 wards in the state.
He also lauded the people of Kano for their patience and political maturity while awaiting the outcome of the legal process, saying their calmness reflects the democratic awareness and resilience of the citizenry.
The government remains fully committed to grassroots development and will continue supporting democratically elected local councils to deliver the dividends of democracy,” the statement added.
Waiya congratulated Yusuf and the people of the state, saying the verdict reinforced the legitimacy of the electoral process and further strengthened public confidence in the judiciary.
This victory belongs to all lovers of democracy. It validates the will of the people freely expressed at the polls,” he stated.
