The Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of the party’s candidates from the final list for the 2027 Kano State governorship election.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the party has accused an INEC staff member, Hauwa Buhari Buhari, of involvement in alleged irregularities relating to reports concerning its governorship primary election in Kano State.
It called for an investigation into what it described as fraudulent, inconsistent and undated reports allegedly used in the process that led to the omission of its candidates.
The NDC also demanded the immediate reinstatement of Gwarzo and his running mate, Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, on the commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.
The petition followed a peaceful protest by supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement at INEC’s office in Kano on Friday, where they submitted a complaint letter over the exclusion of the party’s candidates from the list released by the electoral commission.
Led by the NDC deputy governorship candidate, Kwankwaso, the movement insisted that the party had fulfilled all the requirements for the nomination of its candidates and described their exclusion as unjust.
The party called on the commission to investigate the allegations and correct what it considers irregularities in the handling of its nomination documents.
Habib Mohammed, spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, said the complaint included allegations that unauthorised letters bearing suspected forged signatures had been submitted to INEC’s national headquarters, resulting in the substitution or omission of some of the party’s candidates in Kano State.
“We have asked INEC to investigate the officer before taking further action,” Mohammed said.
The movement said it wanted the commission to establish how the alleged irregularities occurred and ensure that the party’s candidates were restored to the final list in accordance with the law.
During Friday’s protest, the protesters urged INEC to resolve the matter without further delay, arguing that the omission could affect the NDC’s participation in the forthcoming governorship election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano State, Abdu Zango, confirmed receiving the complaint and said the commission had provided an opportunity for affected parties to appeal the decision.
“Basically, what they came to do is to present a complaint about the omission of their candidates. INEC has made the point very clear, the reason for the omission and the fact that there is a window of appeal up to the 24th of October,” Zango said.
He added that the petition would be forwarded to INEC’s national headquarters for consideration and further action.
“We are very neutral. We received all the complaints,” the resident electoral commissioner said, assuring the delegation that its petition would receive the necessary attention.
Zango also commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully and maintaining order during the demonstration.
The NDC’s latest action comes days after the party publicly rejected suggestions that the omission resulted from its failure to complete the required nomination procedures.
Following the release of INEC’s final list, the party’s Kano State Public Relations Officer, Yusif Fasaha, said the party had contacted the commission and was informed that the problem resulted from a computer glitch.
“I want to assure you that, as the PRO of the party, the problem is not from us,” Fasaha said in a statement made available to journalists.
“We have consulted INEC, and they told us that the problem was from the computer and that they would rectify it.”
Fasaha had expressed confidence that the commission would issue an updated list containing the name of the party’s governorship candidate. He also urged party members and supporters to remain calm while the leadership engaged with the electoral body.
“So, everybody should remain calm. Between now and Monday, another list containing his name will be released,” he added.
INEC’s final list for the Kano governorship election contained 17 candidates and their running mates from different political parties. Governor Abba Yusuf was listed as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Murtala Sule-Garo as his running mate.
