In a sweeping judicial reset, the Court of Appeal Abuja has overturned two pivotal rulings that had thrown Kano's local governance into uncertainty. On Friday, a three-member panel nullified Federal High Court decisions that previously invalidated both KASIEC's composition and the October 2024 LG election results. Justice Georgewill's lead judgment clarified a critical constitutional boundary: state electoral matters belong squarely before State High Courts, not federal benches. This verdict not only reinstates Kano's electoral body but also rebuffs federal overreach into NNPP's internal factional disputes over candidate lists.
- Jurisdictional Clarity: Appeal Court ruled Federal High Court lacked authority over state electoral bodies' composition (exclusive to State High Courts).
- Election Validation: October 2024 LG elections regain legitimacy after initial nullification.
- Party Autonomy: NNPP's internal leadership tussle deemed beyond judicial interference.
- Triple Victory: Kano State House of Assembly and KASIEC won all three appeals unanimously.
The judgment underscores Nigeria's delicate balance between federal and state judicial powers, particularly in electoral governance. By voiding the Federal High Court's interventions, the appellate panel has reinforced constitutional design, where state institutions oversee local elections. For Kano residents, this means restored certainty in their elected LG representatives. Meanwhile, the NNPP factional dispute dismissal sets a precedent: political parties must resolve internal conflicts without burdening courts with matters outside their purview.
As dust settles on this legal showdown, questions linger: Will this judgment curb federal courts' overreach in state affairs? How might it reshape future electoral disputes?
