The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has formally issued a Certificate of Return to Ali Musa Danmaliki, confirming his election as Chairman of the Kumbotso Local Government Council. This action follows a recent ruling by the Kano State High Court which overturned an earlier declaration and reaffirmed Danmaliki as the legitimate winner of the 2024 local government elections in the area.
According to a statement from the Government House, the presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Government House in Kano. It was attended by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Ismail Jibril Falgore, and was conducted by KANSIEC Chairman, Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi. Prof. Malumfashi stated the commission complied strictly with the judicial directive, emphasizing that the process adhered to constitutional and legal requirements. “We are here to act strictly on the State High Court verdict by presenting a Certificate of Return to the duly declared winner and elected Chairman,” he said.
The commission simultaneously retrieved the Certificate of Return previously issued to Abdullahi Ghali Shitu, who had been initially declared the winner after the 2024 polls. This retrieval formalizes the court’s decision to substitute Danmaliki as the validly elected council leader.
The ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, responded through its Chairman, Haruna Duguwa. He affirmed the party’s commitment to the rule of law, stating that the APC respects judicial outcomes irrespective of the outcome. Mr. Duguwa urged the newly certified chairman to collaborate with his constituents and the state government to ensure democratic dividends reach the populace.
In his remarks, Danmaliki expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for upholding the court order. He pledged loyalty to the state administration and, in a notable political statement, committed to supporting Governor Yusuf’s anticipated re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.
The issuance of the certificate concludes a protracted legal dispute over the Kumbotso chairmanship, underscoring the judiciary’s role in resolving electoral controversies at the local government level. The affirmation of Danmaliki’s victory restores a democratically elected leadership in the council, with expectations now focused on governance and service delivery under his administration. The episode highlights the procedural mechanisms for contesting local election results in Kano State and the subsequent administrative steps required for certification.
