The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) Chairman, Prof. Sani Lawan Malunfashi, announced on Friday that the state’s main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has opted out of the local government elections set for Saturday.
Speaking on the recent decision, Prof. Malunfashi confirmed that with the ruling of the State High Court affirming KANSIEC’s authority, all arrangements for the polls are now complete.
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“The main opposition party in the state, the All Progressive Congress, APC, has since pulled out of the race as they boycotted all electoral processes and guidelines set out by the commission,” he stated.
According to KANSIEC, six political parties, including the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Accord Party, National Rescue Movement (NRM), African Action Congress (AAC), and Action Alliance (AA), will participate in Saturday’s election. Prof. Malunfashi emphasized that KANSIEC is conducting its activities under the framework of the law, clarifying, “Every activity of the Commission is procedural. We are not partisan.”
He also urged KANSIEC staff and ad-hoc personnel to remain committed to preventing electoral malpractice, including bribery and underage voting. Addressing political leaders, Prof. Malunfashi reminded them that vote-buying, thuggery, and violence violate state election regulations, adding that supporters of democracy expect the court’s decision enabling the election to proceed to be upheld.
The Kano State High Court had earlier affirmed KANSIEC’s authority to conduct the election. Justice Sanusi Ado Maaji ruled that KANSIEC’s legal foundation grants it the statutory mandate to hold elections, issuing an order for security support from law enforcement agencies during the polls.
KANSIEC had sought a court ruling to permanently prevent the APC from obstructing the election process, which Justice Maaji affirmed, concluding that the commission is authorized to oversee the local government elections as scheduled.
