The Coalition of Candidates in Kaduna’s upcoming local government election has criticized the state government for allegedly imposing excessive fees on participating candidates.
The coalition described this act as unconstitutional and an attempt to disenfranchise qualified candidates.
Addressing a press conference at the weekend in Kaduna, Comrade Muhammad Hamis Umar of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP), said, the imposition of ₦2,000,000 for Chairmen and ₦500,000 for Councilors is contrary to sections 131 and 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.
Relying on section 7 (5) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Umar who is the Chairman of the Coalition, said that the section provides equal rights and eligibility for election to state house of assembly and local government council elections which does not attracts any payment to the electoral body or evidence of tax
payment; including candidates contesting for President, Governor, Reps and Senators.
The group who called for the removal of the Chairperson of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM), Hajara Muhammad, for alleged lack of transparency by the Commission, especially on its failure to publish candidate lists standing nominated.
On the election timelines, the leader of the coalition argued that the public have been deprived of their right to be informed about the electoral process, and according to him, these amounting to violation of the principles of transparency and accountability.
” Despite the intimidation that led some candidates to payment and some part-payment, SIECOM still published the list of some paid candidates with their evidence of payment as NOT PAID.
” Two different guidelines of 2024 Local Government elections that contradicts each other were also published by the commission.
“KAD-SIECOM has disregarded numerous provisions of the Electoral Act, creating an environment that fosters unfair practices and jeopardizes the legitimacy of the upcoming elections. There was no compliance with Section 150 (1) (2) (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022 “ Procedure for Local Government Election”, the coalition alleged.
Meanwhile, the coalition has demanded the resignation of the Chairperson of KAD-SIECOM for failing to uphold the rule of law, while also calling for an investigation into the actions of KAD-SIECOM by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
” The Attorney General of the Federation should comply with Section 150 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, Arrest and prosecution of those in quest for their deliberate refusal and abuse of section 150 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and other Constitutional provisions,” the leader of the coalition emphasised.
