The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) yesterday commenced the verification of candidates for chairmanship and councillorship positions ahead of the local government elections scheduled for October 26.
According to the commission’s timetable, the verification exercise will continue until October 14. The process began with the screening of chairmanship candidates from the 15 local government areas that make up Kano Central Senatorial District. Councillorship candidates from seven local government areas within the same district were also screened on Wednesday.
However, only candidates from the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) participated in the verification process, as candidates from opposition parties were notably absent from KANSIEC’s office.
Jibrin Nalado Kunya, the NNPP’s chairmanship candidate for Minjibir Local Government Area, confirmed that he underwent the verification. He told Daily Trust that the panel asked him questions regarding his qualifications and party membership. He also submitted a drug test certificate from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and his last payslip in lieu of a tax clearance certificate.
Kunya presented a receipt for the N9 million nomination fee he paid for the chairmanship form, which he purchased from KANSIEC. He noted that his main challenger from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmadu Ubale, was absent from the verification and was unsure if Ubale had even paid for the nomination forms.
The verification panel, Kunya explained, was composed of KANSIEC officials, as well as representatives from the police, NDLEA, Immigration, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Similarly, Idris Hashim Kadiyana, the NNPP councillorship candidate for Rangaza Ward in Ungogo, confirmed paying N4 million for his nomination forms and expressed optimism that the election would proceed as scheduled, based on the smoothness of the verification process.
Reports suggest that candidates from the opposition APC and other parties have yet to purchase the required nomination forms and did not present themselves for the verification exercise. The APC is currently challenging the imposition of N9 million and N4 million nomination fees for chairmanship and councillorship candidates, respectively, in court.
KANSIEC has scheduled October 14–18 for the replacement and substitution of candidates, while the names of the verified candidates will be published on October 20.
