By Uzair Adam
A Federal High Court in Kano has disqualified Prof. Sani Lawan Malumfashi as Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) due to his affiliation with a political party.
Justice Simon Amobeda delivered the ruling following a suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court also disqualified five other members of KANSIEC—Anas Muhammad Mustapha, Mukhtar Garba Dandago, Isyaku Ibrahim Kunya, Kabir Jibril Zakirai, and Amina Inuwa Fagge—on similar grounds.
According to the court, they are active members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), making them unqualified for their roles under the Nigerian Constitution and the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law.
Justice Amobeda further ordered that KANSIEC must cease all activities related to the upcoming 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State until a properly constituted commission is appointed in accordance with the law.
This includes halting the issuance of election guidelines, candidate screenings, and the sale of nomination forms, all of which were declared null and void.
Additionally, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold all electoral materials, including the voter register, from KANSIEC until the commission is legally restructured.
The ruling emphasizes that any actions taken by KANSIEC in preparation for the 2024 Local Government Election are invalid unless qualified individuals are appointed to the commission.