Police Withdraw From Kano LG Polls, Say They Will Not Participate

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Police authorities have said they will obey the  Court order as delivered Tuesday October 22, by a Federal High Court stopping the scheduled October 26 Local Polls in the State.

The Source reports that the Honourable Justice Simon Amobade had ruled to halt the processes of the election after sacking the State’s Electoral Commission, citing ineligibility of members as reason.

He also declared null and void all previous actions of the Kano State Electoral Commission KANSIEC, including sale of expression of interest and nomination forms, issuance of notices and screening of candidates for the polls.

The Court barred Security  Agencies, especially, the Police from participating in the election.

In a video message on Friday October 25, 2024, spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, SP Haruna Abdullahi Kiyawa,  informed that the Police will, however, perform its statutory duty of maintaining law and order.

“We will comply with the Court order ( Tuesday’s Federal High Court ) restraining us from participating in the forthcoming Kano State Local Government election .

“However, we will remain steadfast in fulfilling our constitutional mandate of protecting lives and properties.

“You are very much aware of the Court order which was received by the Police Command here in kano

“Item nine (9) 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 is our responsibility to ensure no break down of law and order in the State and we are always alive to our responsibilities”, the police spokesman noted.

According to him, all Police Formations Heads in the State, have been briefed accordingly by the State Commissioner of Police Salman Garba Dogo at a recent meeting.

The Heads, he said, have been directed on the need to be proactive in their operations with a view to ensuring adequate and enhanced security.

Curiously, however, same Friday a counter order  was secured by the KANSIEC and Kano state Government mandating the Police and other security agencies to fully participate in the election.

A  Kano state High Court presided over Justice Sanusi Ma’aji while ruling in an application filed by the KANSIC also gave the go ahead for the conduct of the Saturday October 26 2024 Council polls.