Despite the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) being declared the winner in all 44 local government elections in Kano State, the Kumbotso Local Government Area remains without a chairman due to ongoing controversies surrounding candidate nominations.
Ali Musa Danmaliki of the NNPP was declared the winner of the Kumbotso election by Returning Officer Dr Halliru Bilyaminu, who reported that he received 204,107 votes across the 11 wards in the area.
However, KANSIEC has not issued him a certificate of return, which has prevented him from being sworn in by the state governor.
While KANSIEC confirmed that the NNPP won in all 44 local government areas and 484 wards, it has not disclosed any issues regarding the election’s conduct, instead praising the process as hitch-free.
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However, sources indicated that a power struggle within the party is ongoing, as some leaders are attempting to replace Danmaliki with another candidate, who is favoured by the party hierarchy.
Reports suggest that Danmaliki was offered a lucrative political appointment to step down but has refused the offers. His current whereabouts, along with those of his family members, are unknown, raising concerns for their safety amid the tensions, one of his allies, who asked not to be named, said.
Danmaliki, initially the NNPP’s consensus candidate for the Kumbotso chairmanship, faced accusations of irregularities in his academic qualifications, which fueled attempts to replace him. He challenged these allegations in court and was ultimately cleared.
In a suit filed before the Kano State High Court, Danmaliki sought an injunction to prevent the NNPP and KANSIEC from substituting him with another candidate. The court granted an interim order restraining the respondents from replacing him until the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
The same court, presided over by Justice Usman Mallam Na’abba, later declared that Danmaliki was the rightful candidate endorsed by consensus for the Kumbotso local government chairmanship election.
When contacted, NNPP chairman in Kano, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, claimed he was unaware of the court ruling and declined to comment further.
KANSIEC chairman, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, stated that the commission’s role was limited to conducting the elections and emphasised that the matter is now in court.
He said the issues around the candidacy are an internal party affair. He also noted that the returning officer was kidnapped, suggesting that there are deeper issues to investigate.
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