A political shake-up has unfolded in Kano after a High Court removed Abdullahi Basaf as chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Area, declaring Ali Musa, widely known as “Hard Worker,” as the rightful winner of the election.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Abdul Mai Wada Abubakar, brings to a close a prolonged legal dispute that dates back to the 2024 local government primaries.
The court found that Musa was the legitimate candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), faulting the process that led to his replacement and eventual exclusion from the ballot.
The dispute centred on allegations that Musa’s name was unlawfully substituted by the party in collaboration with the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSEIC). Despite an earlier judgment affirming him as the authentic candidate, the election proceeded with Basaf, who was subsequently sworn in as chairman.
Counsel to Musa, Jazuli Mustafha, described the situation as a clear case of disobedience to court orders, noting that a prior ruling by Justice Usman Naabba had already validated his client’s candidacy.
Following the latest judgment, KANSEIC moved swiftly to comply with the court’s directive by withdrawing the Certificate of Return earlier issued to Basaf and presenting it to Musa, effectively recognising him as the duly elected chairman.
The court further ordered that Musa be sworn in without delay to prevent any leadership vacuum in the local government.
The development comes at a time of heightened political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Recently, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf defected from the NNPP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move he described as strategic for aligning the state with the federal government.
The defection has, however, deepened political tensions within the state, particularly with his former ally Rabiu Kwankwaso, and sparked debate among observers over its potential impact on future elections.
