Kano LG Election: We Will Obey Court Order – Police Declare

The Kano State command of the Nigeria Police Force has declared that it would comply with the Federal High Court order, which disallowed it from participating in the forthcoming Local Government (LG) election scheduled for Saturday, October 26.

Naija News reports a Federal High Court in Kano had earlier voided the poll.

The court invalidated the election process on the grounds that card-carrying members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were serving as executive officers of the election commission.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, however, has insisted on going ahead with the election.

He declared this while presenting NNPP flags to the party’s 44 chairmanship and councilorship candidates at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium on Thursday evening.

However, in a video message made available to Channels Television, the State Command’s Public Relations Officer on Friday, Superintendent of Police Abdullahi Haruna said the force would comply with the federal high court order and as well ensure the protection of lives in the state.

“We will comply with the court order restricting us from participation in the coming Kano State Local Government Election. However, we will remain steadfast in fulfilling our constitutional mandate of protection of lives and properties.

“Following the court order restricting the police and the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, the police vows to abide by the court order by not taking part in the forthcoming local government elections.

“You are very much aware of the court order which was received by the Police Command here in Kano. Item nine of the order provides that the Police should not participate in the forthcoming local government election in the state.

“So, the Police in Kano are not participating in the election. However, it’s our responsibility to ensure no breakdown of law and order in the state and we’re always alive to our responsibilities,” Haruna said.

Haruna stated that the state police commissioner, Salman Garba, convened a meeting with Heads of Departments, Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers to reassess strategies aimed at fulfilling the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force, which includes the protection of lives and property, as well as the maintenance of law and order in Kano State.

“During the meeting, the Commissioner of Police stressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent and respond to security threats. He directed the command’s operational commanders to enhance Patrols, increase visibility and presence in high-risk areas as well as intensify intelligence gathering.

“These steps are crucial to maintaining law and order, preventing criminal activities, and ensuring the safety of all the inhabitants in the State,” he added.

The police statement comes shortly after the Kano State High Court asked the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) to proceed with the local government elections planned for Saturday, October 26.

In a ruling on Friday, October 25, Justice Sanusi Ma’aji, who was responding to a lawsuit filed by KANSIEC against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other parties, ruled that KANSIEC is legally authorized to manage, oversee, and conduct local government elections throughout the State’s 44 local government regions.