Voting is underway in the local government elections in Kano state, but notably, federal security agencies, including the police, are absent from polling units.

In various areas of the state, voting materials are being distributed, and security is being maintained by the Kano Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) and local vigilantes.

The elections are taking place across 44 local government areas, with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) expressing confidence in his party’s victory, citing strong public support.

However, the elections have been marred by controversy, with a Federal High Court earlier attempting to halt the process due to questions over the legitimacy of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

A high court in the state later gave the government the go-ahead to conduct the polls.